The Opposition Foreign Affairs Whip and MP for Braintree, Brooks Newmark,

was in Eltham last night to address an audience of more than 70 people about the challenges facing a future Conservative government.  he spoke passionately about the failure of Gordon Brown to tackle personal debt as well as the way in which the current government has stoked up the collective debt of the country.

He answered questions on everything from Scottish devolution to the election of the new House of Commons Speaker.  He never sat on the fence!  

Brooks is a brilliant speaker, a class act and a big brain.  With intellect like his, a future Conservative administration should be in good hands.  The reception his speech received said it all.

I have just returned from a  truly wonderful St George's Day supper in Welling, courtesy of Bexleyheath & Crayford Conservatives.  Henry Bellingham MP, the Shadow Justice Minister gave a rousing speech and reminded us of why we should be proud to be English.  I very much hope that as a nation, in future, we might celebrate St George's Day more widely and with greater gusto.  In this regard, the Irish, Scots and Welsh could certainly teach us a thing or two.