Mobile surgery in Halesowen today

Great campaigning day today in Halesowen where we had plenty of volunteers to help spread the word to vote We Demand a Referendum Now on May 22nd. 

An amazing moment today when a supporter left a gift of a custom iced chocolate block saying "You have our vote". What an absolutely lovely gesture, overwhelmed and touched. 

We were joined by BBC Midlands Today who were filming clips for the BBC Midlands Today show and this weekends Sunday Politics. 

Andy Adris MBE and the team in Halesowen

 While I was in Coventry, it was fantastic that Number 2 We Demand a Referendum Now party candidate Andy Adris MBE joined the team in Halesowen today. Great reception for Andy, and a great reception for a Referendum Now!

Fantastic response in Halesowen today

The team have had an incredible day in Haleowen today where they collected a record number of pledges for an In Out EU referendum.

 

I'm delighted by the response that the team got and the number of people who wanted to chat about my latest progress report.

 

The team will be in Kidderminster tomorrow from 10am and we are anticipating another great day!

 

Sarah from the Office of Nikki Sinclaire MEP with a pledge card

Visiting a food bank distribution centre, Halesowen

 

I went to the Number 2 Storehouse in Halesowen at lunch time today to meet the volunteers and learn more about the work they do at this site.

 

The work that is happening at this distribution centre, a centre which is entirely manned by volunteers, is absolutely incredible.

 

Kelvin showed me around the warehouse. The centre distributes to a number of food banks or projects such as soup kitchens around the Black Country area.

 

 

As well as food, the centre also supplies second hand clothing and homewares for those who are in need. These are obtained on a referral basis from a number of local agencies.

 

 

We took a donation of food into this centre, and this is what they rely on - donations. They also accept donations of items such as soap and shampoo. As one volunteer pointed out, if it is a choice between feeding your family or buying toiletries, food will always be the greater priority.

 

 

This centre has been open since 2006 but the useage only increases. Last December, the centre helped feed nearly 450 children. There is a peak in usage in the feeding of children when there are school holidays as they will not be getting a school dinner.

 

In terms of growth of useage, in 2006 this centre fed 45 people. In 2012, the centre helped to feed 11,950 people.

 

The statistics speak for themselves.

 

The work that is happening here is incredibly humbling. When the EU entertainments budget has been increased by 82% and Eurocrats quaff champagne in the parliament, we have people back in the UK who are relying on food banks for a nutritious meal.
 

 

What would we do without these fantastic volunteers and those who donate food to centres such as this?
 

This was an eye opening visit and I will continue to support food banks here in the West Midlands.



Leafletting in Halesowen

It might be a recess time for most politicians, but here in the Birmingham office we have had a packed month. Our time has been spent continuing to promote the Campaign for a Referendum, as well as dealing with important constituency matters, with Aston Arena being a pertinent example of this.

The real bread and butter for any politician has to be the work they do with their constituents, and to work for your constituents, you have to be visible in your area and actually talk to them!

Last night I took some time to door to door leaflet some of my Campaign for a Referendum booklets in Halesowen. It was a warm afternoon and many people were working on their front gardens, meaning I had pleasant chats with many of the people I met - many were amazed to see a politician at their door in August, when it is most definately not an election time.

Campaign for a Referendum continues to grow at an amazing rate and we WILL deliver another 100,000 signatures to David Cameron, a man who believes that the people do not want an in or our referendum.

If you would like to sign the petition (or even send a link to a friend who might sign!) you can sign online at www.HaveYourSay.eu

To read the magazine I was delivering, click here

Campaign for a Referendum in the press

Taken from Wednesdays Birmingham Mail

Campaign bus rolls on in Halesowen

My Campaign bus has been back on the road this week after the Christmas break. A few days ago it was in Leamington Spa. Today it was in the Black Country Town of Halesowen. This was my first outing with the bus this year. The visit ad been covered in advanced by the local press and a steady number of people, sometimes queueing came to sign the petition and to speak to me about the EU. Safe to say, the people of Halesowen want a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU and more to the point they would vote to get Britain out! I really enjoy these days and I wish my schedule would allow me to get out with the bus more often There is no substitute to speaking directly with the electorate. Many interesting constituency matters come to the fore including small businesses and enterprise (SME)  unable to obtain EU grants as a result of the Quango Advantage West Midland getting their marching orders and whist in their 'notice period' not bothering to assist these SME's. Unbelievably, EU funds (British taxpayers money) will be returned to the EU if it is unused. I will be following this up!



http://www.halesowennews.co.uk/news/local/8768938.Independent_MEP_returning_to_Halesowen_next_week_for_roadshow/