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Huw Merriman - Your Conservative Candiate for Bexhill & Battle

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Huw Merriman

Early Years

Born and raised in 1970’s Buckingham my mother was a teacher and my father worked for the local district council. Ours was a socialist household and both my parents and grandparents were involved in the trade union movement. Buckinghamshire had a grammar school system and, having failed my entrance exam, I attended Buckingham County Secondary Modern school where there was little emphasis or encouragement for academic qualifications. Ignoring the advice of my teachers not to waste my time studying for A levels, I left my school to attend Aylesbury College of Further Education. It was here that I gained a taste for learning and I achieved good enough A levels to take me to Durham University where I read law. I consider it my great fortune to have experienced both sides of the educational coin growing up.

Career

After graduating, I qualified as a barrister and worked in a criminal practice for a short time in London. Having decided that the Bar was not for me, I moved to an in-house legal position and spent 17 years working as a banking and finance lawyer. My final position, as a Managing Director and Lawyer, was leading a team that unwound the Lehman Brothers’ estate in Europe. This position was a huge challenge in crisis management. Our small team repaid every creditor in full, with an expectation of a large surplus to be paid back on top.

I am a firm believer that politicians should experience a career outside of politics. My twenty years in the private sector has given me a strong sense of perspective that has proved invaluable in my political work in Westminster.

Volunteering

During my time at the Bar I represented many young people whose lives had gone wrong for a variety of reasons and who were now facing the prospect of imprisonment. It was here that I learned how important early intervention was in improving young people’s prospects and I wanted to work with young people to help them see a better future before it was too late. Accordingly, I spent 5 years as a trustee and volunteer in a youth charity set up following the Brixton riots. Our youth centres provided after-school learning, music and acting classes, sport and work in the environment to try and encourage our young people to see past the lure of gang-culture and empower themselves with an education and a career. I then spent a further five years as a governor of a former failing secondary school in Shepherd’s Bush, London, as part of a new team tasked with transforming the school. Our results went from way below the national average to well-above, and our head was knighted for his visionary work.

Political Years

I moved to East Sussex in 2006 and was almost immediately elected as the Wealden District Councillor for Rotherfield, serving as the head of Wealden’s Scrutiny Committee focussing on finance. My role as a Councillor gave me an excellent grounding in representing people as well as understanding the needs of my community. I have rolled up my sleeves to make a difference: from strimming the verges, clearing the snow, marshalling for bonfire societies to campaigning to save our pubs, post offices and essential services from closure. 

In 2012 (following a post as the Chairman of Wealden Conservative Association) I successfully gained the nomination to become the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Bexhill and Battle, and went on to secure my seat in the following General Election.

Upon being elected I have been given a wide variety of responsibilities. I have served on the Bill Committee that made the 2015 budget law, and have actively involved myself in treasury matters that affect my constituents since. I am also a member of the Transport Select Committee - scrutinising government performance on national transport. Notably I was part of the team that called Volkswagen to account for its behaviour in the most recent fumes-data scandal.

I take a keen interest in local rail and road services, championing development of local infrastructure to improve business opportunities for those in Battle, Bexhill and the surrounding areas.

I have recently been appointed to the Council of Europe where I will work with other parliamentarians from across Europe to champion reform. Away from policy, in a cross-party role, I am the Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Bees which campaigns to raise awareness of the risks to pollinators and promote their wellbeing. I also play football as part of the cross-party Parliamentary football team; playing matches and fundraising for charity is a welcome and worthwhile break from the rigours of working life.

Mission

I commute to Westminster from my home in East Sussex (in the same way I have commuted to London as a lawyer). I love living in Five Ashes and spend all my time in the constituency when Parliament is not sitting. As your MP, I want to get involved in the campaigns and issues which matter to you. I hope that people will come to know me by name and will know that I am doing my best for them regardless of their political persuasion. There are many things which politicians cannot fix, and should not even try to do so, but I will always aim to be straight with the electors and will offer both my assistance and opinion when needed. 

 TO CONTACT HUW

Please telephone 01424 736861 or e-mail huw.merriman.mp@parliament.uk

Visit Huw's Wesite

 

 

People
Huw Merriman MP

Huw Merriman

Member of Parliament for the Bexhill & Battle Constituency

Tel: 01424 736861

Email: huw.merriman.mp@parliament.uk

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Wednesday, 27 January, 2016

Welcome to the latest news and updates from Huw Merriman, Conservative Candidate

View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website Being elected as your MP for the first time was an enormous privilege. I have thrown myself into the role and have enjoyed covering the constituency and meeting our councillors, volunteer organisations, public service leaders and residents from across our 200 square miles. I am told that I have spoken in more debates than any other backbench MP which is important to me as I want to ensure my constituents' voices are heard in Parliament. I look forward to doing more in 2016 and thank all constituents for helping me to find my feet in 2015.  Achilles Heel to Life as an MP

I am currently on crutches, having ruptured my Achilles tendon playing football with the Parliament team. I have another 3 months to go and this has given me the opportunity to experience first-hand our remarkable NHS and its staff but to also recognise how difficult it is to get around with reduced mobility. It has stirred my resolve to help both of these causes. 

Supporting our NHS and Care Homes

Since being elected, I have embarked on visits to meet our local GPs and healthcare professionals. I am supporting our healthcare trust get out of special measures. I spent a fantastic day in the Conquest Hospital visiting the dedicated staff and patients and have particularly engaged with junior doctors as part of their recent contract negotiations. I also speak regularly in Parliament on what our local NHS and Care Homes need from Government.

Take a look at my Carers speech in Parliament from Wednesday, http://www.huwmerriman.org.uk/news/care-homes-england-debate

 New Link Road is open

I am delighted that the Hastings to Bexhill Link Road is now open, cutting journey times down from 40mins to 10mins. A business tenant has been found for the first office development and the next is due to be built. Planning permission has also been granted for 1,500 quality homes. I am really excited about the new adjoining countryside park and have spent three hours travailing it. Better transport, housing, jobs and leisure amenities will follow from this £120m investment.

 A School a Week

As the son of a teacher, and a former governor of a transformed school, I am passionate about helping our schools succeed. To get a better understanding of what schools need from me, I am visiting a school every week. I have covered over 20 schools so far on this mission and I love taking questions from the children. 

 Delivering Better Local Transport

As a member of the Transport Select Committee, I help to scrutinise Government policy on transport and how its performance measures up. This is a key issue for constituents and allows me to continue to champion the need for High Speed Rail from Bexhill to London and dualing the A21. Barely a week goes by when I am not lobbying ministers on this point, in private or in the House of Commons chamber. 

Europe: You Choose

I am proud that constituents will finally have a chance to decide our future in Europe. This is not a vote for MPs but for the people. I will play my part by organising and chairing a series of public meetings across the constituency and will invite local people to speak both for and against. I will explain what changes will be brought about by the Prime Minister’s negotiations. By playing a balanced role, I hope to use my position as your MP to help you understand the arguments rather than influencing you one way or another. The BBC will be coming to film and I hope you will join us.

Council of Europe

As a newly appointed member, I will work with Parliamentarians across Europe to promote democracy and accountability. I have been put on the Legal and Human Rights Committee and hope to rigorously hold institutions to account in this new role.

Parking Campaign

I am pressing our police and local councils to deliver a solution to our parking problems. It is not good enough that Battle and Bexhill town centres are snarled up by cars parked dangerously and inconsiderately. This issue is causing our shops and traders to lose business. I will continue to press on this matter until something is done. 

If you would like to make an appointment to see Huw at one of his regular advice surgeries which take place across the constituency or if you would like him to visit your organisation please telephone the Constituency Office in Bexhill on
01424 734910.

 

EMAIL HUW

VISIT HUW'S WEBSITE

TWEET HUW

VISIT HUW ON FACEBOOK 

 

 

Bexhill & Battle Conservatives

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