Cycling

Debate between Marcus Jones and Steve Brine

Monday 2nd September 2013 Commons Chamber

[Steve Brine]

Yes, I agree. What I said about putting lines on maps is an expression I borrowed from Andrew Gilligan, who came to see the all-party cycling group on the eve of launching the Mayor’s cycling strategy for London. One thing he took us through was that putting lines on maps is not easy; land belongs to Transport for London or to the boroughs, and somebody had to try and pull that together. It was the leadership of the Mayor and of Andy—

[Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con)]

Will my hon. Friend give way?

[Steve Brine]

I will not because time is tight and I know other hon. Members want to get in. The way in which Crossrail for cyclists was chiselled out is impressive and a blueprint of what people should be doing—I know what is being done in Swindon.

In my constituency we have made significant progress, for example with national cycle network route 23. However, somebody needs to grab the bull by the horns—or perhaps grab the highlighter pen—and sit down and put those lines on the maps. Then the leadership can really shine through. Will that happen? Well, ultimately it requires the leader of the council to do that. Councillor Keith Wood, who leads the majority council in my constituency, is interested in cycling and keen on cycling, but, as he knows, I want to see passion and more leadership from him on that issue.

On design and planning, I am a passionate believer in segregated cycle routes, especially on main busy roads. I have seen them in other parts of the continent and they have to make sense, particularly if we are hopeful of getting children to stay cycling, especially after they have got their driving licence. As those who have read it will know, the report recommends a statutory requirement that cyclists’ needs are considered at an early stage of all new development schemes, and I welcome the new national planning policy framework introduced in 2011. It sets out clearly that including facilities for cycling and walking should be part of delivering sustainable development, but as we know, too often at present those things are not included, which in my book is a wasted opportunity. What is set out in the NPF needs to catch up quickly and become the norm.

First-time Buyers

Debate between Marcus Jones and Steve Brine

Wednesday 14th March 2012 Westminster Hall

[Steve Brine (Winchester) (Con)]

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Gray; this is the first time that I have done so in a leading role.

I am pleased to have secured the debate, which covers an issue that is important to me and certainly to the people I represent in Winchester and Chandler’s Ford, as well as to people across the country. I am pleased that so many of my colleagues have turned out this morning. I suspect that the postbags of many right hon. and hon. Members suggest that the topic is important to their constituents, too. The issue is about the strivers in our constituencies. I am not sure where that term came from, but it seems increasingly to be a feature of the political spectrum.

It is frequently asserted that we are a nation of home owners, as well as a nation of shopkeepers. Home owning, or striving to own one’s house, makes financial sense. It brings independence and is a source of great pride for many. It was Anthony Eden who first set out the noble vision of a nationwide property-owning democracy, and for much of the 20th century home ownership steadily increased. That was a good thing. There has been a striking increase in recent years in the number of people, particularly in the younger generation, opting to rent instead of buying, as property prices have shot up, deposit requirements have rocketed, and the economic outlook has remained uncertain. People’s aspiration, however, one day to own a property of their own remains as strong as ever.

I had an acute reminder of that yesterday, when I was proud to cut the ribbon in the Dell—not that Dell—the old Dell in Willis Waye in Kings Worthy. There are 29 brand new homes, which have been built by Homes and Community Agency partner Radian Housing, with a nice mix of shared ownership and rental, constructed to the highest standard possible, using local architects. I was fortunate enough to meet some residents yesterday, and they do not see home ownership as an unnecessary burden; they are proud as Punch to live in the Dell. I am proud that we have a positive Conservative city council in Winchester, with a forward-thinking portfolio holder in Councillor Tony Coates, and people such as my colleague Councillor Ian Tate on the planning development control committee; they have a passion to help the people we represent to realise their aspiration to own their homes.

[Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con)]

I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this important debate. Opportunity for first-time buyers is extremely important to all Members, from all constituencies, so is my hon. Friend a little surprised, if not concerned, at the lack of Opposition Members here to support the debate, which affects their constituents?

[Steve Brine]

Yes. My hon. Friend tempts me. The turnout in debates in the House and Westminster Hall is a matter of fact and public record, not my judgment; that is for others. However, I thank my hon. Friend for pointing that out.

I mentioned aspiration and I shall say the word again—as, I am sure, will many of my hon. Friends. That is the starting point for me. The Government should exist to help people to realise their aspirations: not through a handout—although, yes, sometimes—but often through a hand up. The debate is unapologetically, for me, about our values. Politicians do not talk enough these days about what they believe in. It is as if ideology has become a bad word, and it is suddenly a crime to say what drives us. Of course policy making and implementation is about the head, but it must also be in equal measure about the heart. Why do we want to be in this place? Why did my party, and many hon. Members who fought seats for longer than I did to get here, work so hard to return our party to government and run the country, if not to pursue our mission? Part of that mission and why I wanted to come here was to help people to own their home. I do not accept that that is somehow to let people aim higher than they should be allowed to by the state. I know that Conservative Members utterly reject that.