Back from Birmingham. There is so much to do at Conference it just passes in a blur. Late nights and early mornings. I was up to do Radio Manchester interviews at 8am on Monday and even earlier at 7am today.
As usual there were several new announcements of policy and again as usual some attracted a lot more publicity than others! The proposal to remove the child benefit from higher rate tax payers will not be welcomed by those affected but it is further proof that the Conservatives are going to be tough but fair. Everyone will be affected but the NHS will be protected and those who are most vulnerable must be protected too. Full details of all the proposals can be found on the main Conservative Party website at www.conservatives.com
David Nuttall 
David,
You were listed as being one of the speakers at a meeting organised by Forrest in Birmingham on October 8 during the Conservative party conference. I went to a lot of trouble to try and attend, arriving over an hour early. I spent over an hour trying to find the venue without success. It certainly was not at the Hyatt Hotel as advertised and I spoke to more members of the police, hotel receptionists and security staff than I can recall.
The next day I wrote a lengthy e-mail to both the joint organisers and have had no reply.
Did this event take place and did you go?
Bill Watson
billoftel@msn.com
Hi Bill,
Thank-you for your comment.
Yes, I did attend and speak at this event:
Date: Monday 8th October
Time: 2.30-4.30pm
Venue: Symphony Ballroom (first floor, above main lobby)
I am afraid I can not explain why it appears that no-one who you spoke to knew of it. I would estimate there were over a 100 people there at the beginning of the event when I arrived.
Kind regards,
David
Dear Mr Nuttal,
I see that you wish to relax the ban on smoking in pubs. I’m appalled that anyone should consider any relaxation of this ban. I remember when all pubs stank of the wretched stuff and your clothes stank of it next morning. What a relef it was when this stopped. The health benefits to smokers and non-smokers are obvious and the number of smokers has fallen since the ban was introduced. This is a habit which should never have been invented and should be steadily forced out of existence. How many lives do you wish to ruin and shorten by allowing it to start creeping back?
I saw my mother’s health decline and from smoking and she died at 62 from lung disease and heart problems, so I know whereof I speak.
If a few, or even a lot, of pubs shut down because of the ban then so be it. It’s worth it to eliminate this vile, wasteful, dirty habit.
Please reconsider your attitude to this. Smoking is not necessary and has many bad effects, including much suffering. Let’s get rid of it, rather than encourage it in any way.
Regards
George Gall