FORGIVE the dearth of updates today. I’m preparing to make a speech in the aviation debate in the Commons this afternoon and it’s the first speech in more than two years that I’ll have to write myself instead of relying on my civil servants. So prepare for a noticeable drop in quality.
It had been my intention to avoid transport debates: I don’t want to earn a reputation as “that bloke who only talks about transport”. But I feel strongly enough about this issue to risk being pigeon-holed.
The trickiest part will be trying to get called early enough to get back out of the chamber in time to meet Carolyn for dinner. Need to get my priorities right.
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Tuesday 11 November 2008 at 2:42 pm
Somewhat OT but what about bringing back bus-conductors? The dwell-time at bus stops is something shocking while people a) realise that they have to pay, b) inquire about the correct fare, c) fiddle with their change, d) ask if anyone on the bus can change a fiver, tenner, etc., e) etc., etc.
At one stroke you create employment, expedite journeys, ease congestion, save fuel…
Tuesday 11 November 2008 at 3:19 pm
Well I hope it goes well
Good luck
Tuesday 11 November 2008 at 4:44 pm
No doubt you will be spinning your usual BAA-approved line about how essential Heathrow is, notwithstanding all the movement being away from that now.
Tuesday 11 November 2008 at 7:38 pm
A good speech, and the points about crossrail and high speed x were correct, but you were wrong on most of the rest of it.
I only hope you stuck around what Susan Kramer said, thats the the true picture of BAA, hopelessly incompetent and clueless. I lived in West London for 10 years and the tales that the airport workers tell you about BAA will leave you crying with laughter, if it wasn’t a monopoly body it would have gone bust years ago.
The true tale of Heathrow is that its a monster grown out of a old airport, built by bolting bits on year after year, whats now left is totally unsuitable to serve London. There are only 2 possible answers, either start fresh elsewhere, or bulldoze Heathrow back to the ground and build it correctly. The third runway is just more sticking plaster on the Heathrow monster.
Tuesday 11 November 2008 at 8:08 pm
ah yes, Aviation….. err isn’t this an European Union competence PART ONE Article 3 (f)
Wednesday 12 November 2008 at 10:09 am
[...] Sacked minister Tom Harris prepares a Commons speech without civil servants. [...]
Wednesday 12 November 2008 at 8:56 pm
“…the aviation debate”
How delightfully circumspect.