A poll out tonight shows that in spite of the desperate efforts of Labour politicians in recent days, more people trust the Conservatives to look after the NHS.  It is hardly surprising when I look at recent experiences locally.  Under Labour the local NHS is seeing severe cuts in services.  Queen Mary's Hospital is losing paediatric care, maternity and A&E (from September).  Only today I met a lady who works at Queen Mary's and she expressed her concerns about these cuts.  like me, she doubts the real motives for the measures, 

which we are told have been driven forward by the clinicians.  Like me, she is amazed that where services are deemed good, they are closed down.

The Conservatives are committed to continuing to fund the NHS - and I am personally committed to ensuring the best aspects of the NHS are saved for the people of this area.

It's been a busy day to end a very hectic week.  With colleagues I spent the day knocking on doors in Middle Park and Eltham West ward, having dropped my partner off at Heathrow early this morning.  I half expected when calling on residents that many people would raise the issue of the NHS.  To see the fuss the BBC made yesterday, anyone would have thought David Cameron had personally pledged to scrap the NHS - as opposed to a minor figure in the European Parliament expressing a personal view across the pond.  Not one resident mentioned the NHS - unless you count the lady who apologised for not being able to stay at the door for long, as she'd just come out of hospital following an operation.  And yes, she's a Conservative supporter.

Along with all Conservatives from David Cameron down, I am fully committed to the NHS.  It is not a perfect organisation, it would benefit from reform, but it provides most of us with a service others around the world can only envy.  It is right that there should be a proper debate about its future, as there should be on every other issue of policy from immigration to transport, housing to education.  It is a pity that some sections of the media have become so lazy they too easily take their lines from increasingly desperate Labour spin doctors, who would prefer no such debate took place lest the failures of Labour's 12 years in power are exposed.  After all, it is Labour policies that have led to services being scrapped at Queen Mary's Hospital.

I had the pleasure of visiting Woodlands Farm this afternoon, and meeting some of the people who help keep this working farm open as one of the most popular local attractions.  After various threats from development, the 200 year old farm was saved in 1997 when it became a charitable trust.  Now, the 89 acres, including ancient woodland, balances agriculture and conservation with being an educational community project.

I was accompanied by Maureen Burgess, one of the Shooters Hill Conservative team and a local resident.  We enjoyed our tour, saw a very energetic group of youngsters competing in an orienteering exercise, and patted the pot bellied pigs!  But most importantly, I put my name down for a half lamb for the freezer...the farm relies on selling produce to fund its work, as it relies entirely on raising its own funds and constantly applying for grants.

If you haven't yet visited, please go.  You'll receive a warm welcome, see a lot of animals and wildlife, and possibly learn something.  And worth remembering, they keep bees so the honey will soon be available - I am told they expect it to be in jars towards the end of August!  I plan to return with my godchildren. 

I had such an enjoyable time at the Tarn a couple of weekends ago, drinking tea and eating cake, courtesy of the Friends of the Tarn who are selfless and enormously dedicated.  So it was with enormous sadness that I learnt that the water in the park has become infected, with a devastating effect on the wildlife.  To date, more than 50 wildfowl have been removed and put on drips to remove toxins - but tragically, only 16 have survived.  The Willow Wildlife Trust has been working with the Friends, the Council has contacted the Environment Agency and DEFRA and a post mortem has been carried out on some of the dead birds.

The quality of the water in the park has been an issue for many years but now it has clearly reached a crisis. Along with all my Conservative colleagues, including local councillors, I shall do anything and everything I can to help resolve this situation and try to ensure that this does not happen again.

Carol Thomas, the Chair of Friends of the Tarn said this:  

"On a personal note having spent the last week watching the ducks slowly fade in front of my eyes I know that I don’t ever want to witness a disaster like this again.  I believe that if you visit the Tarn yourself and see the devastation you will be shocked".

I am sure she is right.  My thoughts are with everyone who has done so much for this beautiful park, and I hope finally something can be done for the future.