02/03/10 - Theresa May visits Merry Hill shopping centre Asda store

Chris Kelly, Prospective Conservative MP for Dudley South, today joined the Rt. Hon. Theresa May MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Shadow Minister for Women, for a walkabout at the ASDA store inside the Merry Hill shopping centre. After a tour round the store, which included introductions to many of the staff on duty, Chris & Theresa were joined by Graeme Brown, Prospective Conservative MP for Dudley North, for a round-table discussion with a dozen Asda workers, all ladies, in the offices above the store.

Given Theresa's brief topics of discussion included work, pensions and equality issues but also included transport issues (such as journey times at peak periods, potential future car parking charges at Merry Hill for staff as well as shoppers and public transport infrastructure, including the possibility of the Midland Metro being extended into Brierley Hill/Merry Hill).

Chris commented: "It was great to be able to welcome the Shadow Secretary of State to Dudley South. It was a really useful discussion with the ladies at Asda, not least because of Theresa's brief & expertise but also because we were able to have such a full & frank conversation with them. There was a real feeling in the room that the tax & benefits system created by 13 years of Labour is far too complicated &, in many cases, creates a real disincentive to taking additional paid hours when available. There was also a strong sense of injustice that people who don't go out to work have got it too easy."

Chris Kelly, Graeme Brown & the Rt. Hon. Theresa May MP with Asda staff