19/12/11 - The Way I See It: Chris Kelly MP writes for the Dudley Chronicle

Last week was hugely significant for our relationship with our European neighbours and allies. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, said he would protect Britain’s national interests at the European Council and that he would veto anything that did not protect our national interests. I am proud and pleased that our PM kept his commitment to the British people – in doing so he has my full backing and, I believe, the strong support of the vast majority of people in our borough. We want the Eurozone to succeed and to sort out its problems but we cannot be liable for the Eurozone’s bills.

The House of Commons European Union Scrutiny Select Committee, of which I am a member, has announced a new inquiry into the Eurozone crisis. I am very much looking forward to participating in this important Parliamentary inquiry. The crisis on the continent is having a freezing effect on the UK economy and also locally here in the Black Country where our manufacturers have traditionally exported in large quantities to Europe.

In the Commons this week I commended the Prime Minister for exercising the veto in the national interest and thanked him on behalf of the people of Dudley South for doing so. I also pressed the PM Minister to commit the Government to providing even more assistance to help British businesses export to emerging markets in the Far East and South America. I have seen for myself locally successful, growing manufacturers who are finding profitable business in growth countries such as Brazil, Mexico and also several Asian countries. The Eurozone crisis shows that we must be ever more outward looking as a country, recognising and taking up the trade opportunities which undoubtedly exist in this highly globalised era outside the borders of the continent of Europe.

A sizeable majority of Members of European Scrutiny Committee chaired by my friend – fellow West Midlands, arch Eurosceptic, veteran MP, Bill Cash – strongly support the PM’s use of the veto last week. However, the resolution of the Eurozone crisis - with or without Treaty change – is vitally important for the UK economy; this inquiry will provide important information for the Government and Parliament when considering Britain’s role vis-à-vis that of other EU member states and EU institutions.

This week I called for Conservative candidates for the role of West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner to come forward. By this time next year we will have had the first ever elections for this important new role. Police and Crime Commissioners will have specific responsibility to:

• work with the communities in their force area and identify their policing needs
• set priorities by agreeing a local strategic plan for the force
• hold the Chief Constable to account for achieving these priorities
• set the force budget and the policing precept in council tax bills
• appoint - and, if necessary, remove – the Chief Constable

For details of the role and how to apply visit conservatives.com/policecommissioners

I enjoyed singing carols at the borough Christmas carol service at All Saints’ Church, Sedgley with Mayor Cllr Michael Evans and consort Cllr Sue Greenaway. The wonderful children’s choir was undoubtedly the highlight.

I attended a regular meeting of borough MPs with the Leader of Dudley MBC, Cllr Les Jones, and the Chief Executive at Council House.

I recently visited our troops in Afghanistan so I’m particularly pleased to report that, following my request, Cllr Jones and Dudley Council are moving forward with signing the Ministry of Defence’s Armed Forces Community Covenant.

Champions Church in Netherton invited me to their spectacular ‘Midlands Got Talent’ event – congratulations to all involved and especially to all the performers. I was also pleased to catch-up with local Conservative Party members at Kingswinford Conservative Club for the Dudley Conservatives Christmas party.

I joined the Prime Minister on his visit to the Black Country. At Krunch at Sandwell Christian Centre in Oldbury, David Cameron and Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, set out the Government's plans to turn around the lives of the country's 120,000 most troubled families. In a speech to an audience of charities, voluntary organisations and other key professionals in the sector, the Prime Minister spoke about how a new approach will put the building blocks in place to create a stronger society.

I have welcomed the Secretary of State for Education’s decision to confirm Academy status for The Kingswinford School which will convert to an Academy on 1 January 2012. Headteacher Mrs Hedley, teaching staff and governors will, as a result of the Coalition Government’s Academies Act 2010, now benefit from even greater freedoms to innovate and raise standards, including freedoms around the delivery of the curriculum. I look forward to seeing The Kingswinford School benefit from its new status.

Other schools considering conversion should visit www.education.gov.uk. I am always pleased to hear from headteachers and governors in Dudley South who may wish to discuss possible options.

Stourbridge MP Margot James and I held a meeting with Lord Henley, Minister for Crime Prevention at the Home Office, on combating metal theft. We were pleased that the minister signalled an imminent end to cash payments for scrap metal, perhaps as early as the middle of next year. Outlawing cash payments is a central demand of the All-Party Group on Combating Metal Theft and one of the six proposals contained in a draft bill sponsored by Margot and me. We need to end what is nothing less than metal laundering. Metal theft is a crime that is having an impact across society and legislative changes need to address the whole chain handling scrap metal.

All that remains is for me to wish all readers a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. For those who have children in the household this Christmas I hope you have a wonderful time over the festive period.

> Chris Kelly can be contacted on 01384 211 041 or via officeATchriskellympDOTcom. You can also read the latest news & views at chriskellymp.com