Blogs

Dr Phillip Lee MP
advertisement

Phillip Lee MP: Communities should try to solve their own problems

By Dr Phillip Lee MP
April 04, 2012

There are many good things about being your Member of Parliament.

One is the opportunity that the job gives me to meet local people who have really made a difference in their communities.

Often in quiet and unassuming ways, each person has contributed time and effort with no financial reward.

Instead of money, the return on each of their investments has been to see their efforts bring about positive benefits for the local people they seek to serve.

One such individual is Wally Chapman.

I had the pleasure of meeting him last week when I addressed Finchampstead Parish Council at their annual gathering at the FBC Centre.

Remarkably, he has now served as a parish councillor for over 51 years.

Born in the village, with family roots in the area that stretch back two centuries, Wally has worked long and hard to protect and enhance what is great about the village of Finchampstead.

He now has responsibility for the miles of footpaths that criss-cross the parish.

Since becoming an MP, I’ve noticed that there is a tendency among some to look to government, local and national, for services that could more easily and effectively be offered by communities closer to home.

I guess the belief is that enough tax is collected so why aren’t the services duly delivered?

Although I have some sympathy with that position, I would argue that things were much better when the great majority of people in need of a job done asked themselves first, their families second, their local community third and the government last.

Not only that, I truly believe that people would gain greater satisfaction in their lives from having sorted out local problems within their own communities.

Fortunately for those who live in Finchampstead, there are many people, including Wally, who do ‘go the extra mile’ for their community.

That is one of the many reasons why Finchampstead is such a great place to live.

| View Comments (7)

« Previous Story | Next Story »

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Most recent user comments 7 of 7

This is just to show the true face of p. lee. I sent an email to him containing the signatures of myself and seven neighbours asking him to support the referendum on our membership of the eu. Infact I sent it four times as it was repeatedly blocked. This is because he chose to follow the party line instead of doing what he was elected for by us. To hear him say he is working for the benefit of his constituents I personally find insulting. There were a large number of MPs who listened to their constituents just a shame that p. lee was'nt one of them. Roll on 2015.

flickerhemmings, finchampstead
17/04/2012 at 07:24

I would love to know how as a community we should try solving the problem of high level dealing of M-Kat/Mephedrone/Miaow-Miaow? Or is that major issue that we have here in Bracknell still being brushed under the carpets. I know of Children as young as 15 dealing this drug to Children even younger, I have sent numerous emails and passed on massive amounts of intel. It is out of hand. So please tell me how to solve this problem on our own as no one else wants to help.

lou80, Bracknell
10/04/2012 at 17:11

"There are many good things about being your Member of Parliament"

Tax payer subsidised restaurants. Very generous expense account. Being an A list preferred candidate - got the nod from Dave himself. Flat in London (I only live an hour away from the Commons). Day job where I've managed to convince everyone I'm a committed community-facing GP. The other job where I've managed to convince everyone I'm a committed community-facing MP (except my party colleagues have yet to appreciate my wide and varied.......er, skills?).

Yes. There are many good things about being your MP.

Mugs.

Winstanley, Bracknell
05/04/2012 at 21:09

"Phillip Lee MP: Communities should try to solve their own problems" - well you ain't mate, resign.

Timothy Jefferies
05/04/2012 at 15:22

Dr Lee - why do you never talk about the rest of Bracknell in such glowing terms ..... Despite what you may wish, you are the MP for Bracknell which covers a vast area including Sandhurst, Crowthorne, Bracknell and Finchampstead, but although you may fleetingly refer to the Rest of your Constituency it is never in the same way, or with the same warmth and afffection that you show to Finchampstead. A very very long standing and very well respected Ex-Councillor and Ex-Mayor, Cllr Jacqui Ryder has been appointed as Deputy Leuitenant for Berkshire.... any mention from you ?? No.

Tom Edwards, Bracknell
05/04/2012 at 13:57

I think you'll find Dr Lee that communities very often solve their own problems often in spite of government - big or small, local or national.

PoneRana is right too often a communities problems or plight is exacerbated by the ignorance, incompetence, or plain old arrogance of elected officials with more concern for their civic egos than furthering the cause of those they profess to serve.

Which is of course the real point - you mention the difference made by individuals serving their communities, in a quiet and unassuming manner.....

The complete opposite of today's politicians - self serving and publicity seeking. Only two things concern such a breed - their electability and the publics complacency.

Winstanley, Bracknell
04/04/2012 at 14:04

The problem is that while MPs, the governement and local councils pay lip service to local organisations providing services, they put everything in the way of it actually happening. Take for example Wokingham Swimming Club which was a self financing teaching club concentrating on mainly under eleven year olds. The council built the new Carnival Swimming Pool destroying the teaching pool at Martin's pool which had ben the clubs main venue. What were the club offered in the new pool, time after 8pm. How many parents are going to take their children to lessons at that time in the evening? After struggling for about five years the club eventually died because there were no five to seven year olds joining. You can look to many other examples in the borough where community led activities have died because the council has withdrawn small grants or put obstacles in the way of them continuing.