Political musings

Are immigration controls the passport to success in Lincolnshire polls?

'I absolutely recognise the important role migrants play in our society, be they working on farms in Lincolnshire or as foreign healthcare workers in our NHS services and elsewhere. However, uncontrolled, mass immigration makes it difficult to maintain social cohesion, puts pressure on public services like schools, and can affect housing and the welfare system as well as the NHS and can force down wages.'

http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/immigration-controls-passport-success-polls/story-26120278-detail/story.html

Country of origin labelling for meat is great in theory – but sadly not in practice

'If we're dealing with a primary meat product – steak from Argentina, or bacon from Denmark, or a chicken from Thailand – then it can and should be labelled with the country of origin. But for a cheaper product, the company's buyer may be watching the market and picking prices on a daily basis, getting a consignment of beef from Romania today and Somerset tomorrow and Bolivia next week. So in any one sausage on any one day, the meat used may come from many places – and will probably be different tomorrow.'

http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/POLITICS-Country-origin-labelling-meat-great/story-26117050-detail/story.html

Conservatives reselect MP to contest Sleaford and North Hykeham seat

'Local Conservatives have chosen Sleaford and North Hykeham MP Stephen Phillips to once again contest the parliamentary seat at the General Election on May 7.'

http://thelincolnite.co.uk/2015/03/conservatives-reselect-mp-fight-sleaford-north-hykeham-seat/

General Election 2015: Stephen Phillips says economy is biggest issue

'Traditionally, my seat has been a safe seat but we are in a new era of politics now and I’m not taking a single thing for granted – we are out there on Fridays and Saturdays and some Sundays campaigning.'

http://www.sleafordtarget.co.uk/General-Election-2015-Stephen-Phillips-says/story-26008803-detail/story.html

Supporting our apprentices means young workers get the best start

'Earning a wage and working alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills is critical in 21st century Britain.'

http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/POLITICS-Supporting-apprentices-means-young/story-26117051-detail/story.html

Apprenticeships: debt free at 23 and on a £30k salary

'As National Apprenticeship Week begins, James Connington talks to three apprentices about career progression, skills and the financial benefits of choosing this route.'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/further-education/11457331/Apprenticeships-debt-free-at-23-and-on-a-30k-salary.html

Research shows why Cameron is wise to avoid TV debates and stick to newspapers

'In the eight weeks of campaigning from January 5 to March 1, all the leading online national newspapers reported the Conservative Party to a greater degree than its rivals.'

http://theconversation.com/research-shows-why-cameron-is-wise-to-avoid-tv-debates-and-stick-to-newspapers-38514