I was on the losing side when MPs voted 235 to 176 for a motion to end the condition that a candidate for election to Parliament should have their address on the ballot paper. This has been a requirement since 1872.
I understand the concerns about security, not only from terrorists but the much more likely threat from a person who cannot distinguish between an MP communicating bad news and those who took the decision they disagree with.
That risk is the price we pay for the job we have asked the public to allow us to do. So why the change now?
Following a recent freedom of information judgement some MPs may be concerned that their accommodation expense details will reveal the address declared as their main residence. When you are elected you are asked to declare which is your main home. This was easy for me as Torbay is my home and Westminster is where I work.
It had never occurred to me that the answer could have been the other way round in order to claim the interest costs of a mortgage on a property in the constituency were this higher than the rent (or a mortgage) in London! Nor that within the rules I could change the declaration to maximise the financial advantage to myself.
Unless there is a U-turn these details will be secret, but how MPs voted this week will remain a matter of public record.
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Every year, almost without fail, Torbay Council's tourism promotion campaign comes in for criticism from some local people, and every year they are wrong.
This year's 'Punch and Judy' campaign isn't aimed at persuading the people of Torbay to consider visiting the area for a holiday. We already know what a wonderful part of the world we live in. The campaigns, from the original tickling stick through the lollipop, and Ayres Rock posters, are all aimed at catching the interest of people who don't live here.
The proof of the pudding will be in the eating, but if past campaigns are anything to go by this will be another winner for the tourism trade in Torbay. Why? Because I don't like it either.
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Business rates are unfair for town centre businesses compared to out of town superstores. Town centre traders pay a higher rate for their shop frontage and a lower rate for the area behind it. Out of town superstores don't have shop fronts so overall pay a lower business rate per square foot of sales area. Add to this the advantage the out of town superstore has of offering free parking and the tax the town centre business has to pay becomes the straw that can break their back.
Business rates are set nationally and collected by local councils on behalf of central government. The total amount collected is redistributed back to local authorities according to a formula that takes into account social need and the level of economic activity in the area among other factors.
The good news is that traditionally Torbay receives back far more in business rate levy than is collected from businesses in the area.
Councils have the discretion to re-schedule business rate payments or reduce them altogether for either an individual business or group of businesses. The grant formula from central government assumes councils will exercise this discretion, but just like the disputes over grant funding for concessionary bus fares, identifying a clear audit line in the formula is near impossible. Hence some councils hide behind this lack of transparency and say no to any request for help from a business that just might keep its head above water were it to be granted some leeway.
I have argued with administrations of both political colours in the past that the Council should at least consider the case put to them by a local business facing difficulty. It is in no ones interest for shops to remain empty or businesses to lay off staff. But Torbay has steadfastly refused even to consider the possibility of using its discretionary powers in this area.
I was therefore please to read the words of the Deputy Mayor that in regard to business rate payments the Council would listen to businesses in trouble. This is a major policy shift and if the powers that be in the town hall want help setting the criteria for support they might consider starting off with whether the firm spends its profits in the local economy, or passes them on to shareholders. That would allow help to be given to the locally owned trader or shopkeeper but not to the out of town superstore that already enjoys a business rate advantage over the town centre.
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I know David Bowie played the town hall as I recall the difficulty getting a ticket, a task in which I failed. I also remember this was despite him playing two performances in order to satisfy the demand. But did 'The Who' really play at the Assembly Rooms? I've read this twice recently but don't recall having heard about it in the past. No doubt someone who was there can verify that it happened.
I do remember a famous band who played the venue as I was there, and it was one of the worst live sets I've ever heard.
'The Clash' were never the best band to hear live - the late Joe Strummer's vocals always struggled outside the studio. Bit it couldn't have been worse than in the acoustically challenged Torquay town hall.
The idea of bringing the hall back to life as a venue for live performances is a great one but I do hope someone makes sure they get the acoustics right this time.
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