27 JUL 2010

Monday, the House of Commons resolved by motion to appoint Stephen Phillips MP as a member of the European Scrutiny Committee for this Parliament. The Committee assesses the legal and political importance of over 1,000 EU documents each year and decides which are debated by MPs. It can also prevent Ministers from agreeing to proposals which the Committee has not cleared or which are awaiting debate by the House of Commons. Faced with a mountain of papers delivered to his office, Stephen Phillips said, "The burden of regulation and law coming out of Europe remains huge and was one of the issues which many people raised with me before the general election. I am naturally thrilled with my appointment to the Committee and am looking forward to getting stuck in with my new colleagues so we can ensure proper parliamentary scrutiny of what Brussels is up to."
16 JUL 2010

Grateful voters from all over the constituency turned out Friday to say thank you and to bid farewell to Rosemary Kaberry-Brown, who has acted as the constituency agent for the Member of Parliament for three decades. After seven parliaments in which she has visited and assisted numerous constituents on occasions when the House of Commons has been sitting, Rosemary has decided to scale back her activities and to work only part time as the new constituency secretary to Stephen Phillips. Commenting on her loyal and valued service, Stephen said, "Rosemary has filled in for my predecessor on those occasions when he could not be in the constituency in person for the last 30 years. In an age before email and fax, this was an essential role which she has discharged with diligence and good humour. Hers is a familiar face to many and I know everyone will join me in saying we will miss her. But she is not going far, and I also know that as she takes up her new post, her knowledge and expertise will assist me to do my job for many years to come."
09 JUL 2010

Proof positive that life in Lincolnshire is good for your health, Stephen Phillips spent an evening with local Conservatives in Leasingham, first amongst them Mr Coy, the oldest member of the Association at the grand old age of 101. Setting himself up for another century as life patron of the Leasingham and Rauceby branch, Mr Coy welcomed Stephen to his first annual general meeting in Leasingham, as always presided over by local Conservative Councillor Susan Waring. Stephen offered his thanks to the local team for all they had done in the recent election before meeting other residents of both villages who had turned out on a glorious evening to listen to him speak about the new government and its priorities. "Mr Coy is an inspiration to us all," Stephen said. "He's also told me that the secret to his incredible health and long life is a tipple every day, something I shall now put into practice!"