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ARTICLES
Geoffrey's Articles for the North Devon Journal
Geoffrey writes a regular article for the North Devon Journal. His latest articles are listed here:
6 May 2008 
It is a long time since the Conservatives could envisage assuming the government of our nation. | more |
22 April 2008 
The other day, Oxford University published a report that measured the level of exclusion of individual parishes or neighbourhoods from essential services, such as the distance by road to the local GP, a local store, and a primary school or post office. | more |
8 April 2008
Alistair Darling's budget is now three weeks old. But it already seems to have marked a turning point. | more |
25 March 2008
Last year, I decided to apply for planning permission for solar thermal panels at my home, and they have just been installed. | more |
11 March 2008 
We are all affected by the Government's woeful failure in its penal policy. | more |
26 February 2008
Next week, the House of Commons will vote on an amendment, moved by the Conservatives, to permit people to have a say on the new EU Treaty. | more |
12 February 2008 
The Government's obsession with the monitoring and surveillance of our private lives appears to have been further demonstrated by the news that it has concluded a confidential deal with Rightmove Ltd. | more |
29 January 2008
Two recent events have prompted me to reflect on what is the proper place of religion in democratic assemblies. | more |
15 January 2008 
The police pay formula was established in the 1970s. | more |
11 December 2007 
This Christmas, spare a thought for the small high street shop. | more |
26 November 2007 
The bravery of the young men and women who have been required to face a determined enemy in Afghanistan and Iraq calls for greater recognition from a government that has systematically neglected our armed forces for ten years. | more |
13 November 2007 
The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme is a Defra initiative that is designed to pay for improvements to the heating and insulation in the homes of those who could not otherwise afford to make them. | more |
30 October 2007 
Last week, I welcomed a number of pensioners from Torridge and West Devon to the House of Commons for discussions over tea. | more |
16 October 2007 
In March this year, the House of Commons select committee on Communities and Local Government published a valuable report on coastal communities. | more |
2 October 2007 
Immigration is a subject that excites strong passions and, more than any other subject of contemporary controversy, it is essential that we should treat it responsibly. | more |
18 September 2007 
The renewed foot and mouth alert and its deeply damaging effects at a critical time of year for farming communities will prompt a rigorous scrutiny of the actions of Defra. | more |
4 September 2007 
Last week, Ken Jones, the President of the Association of Chief Police Officers said that he was baffled by what David Cameron meant when he said that there was a sense that we were living in a "broken society". | more |
21 August 2007
As I travel throughout Torridge, I am constantly struck by the sheer resourcefulness of our communities. | more |
17 August 2007 
I am delighted that, although sadly and inevitably affected by the restrictions on livestock movements, the committee has determined to go ahead with the Holsworthy and Stratton Show. | more |
3 August 2007
At the time of writing, shows such as North Devon, Okehampton, and Woolsery have been cancelled and we must consider ourselves very fortunate that the weather so far seems to smile on the Holsworthy and Stratton Show. | more |
24 July 2007 
The House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee is made up of MPs of all parties. | more |
10 July 2007 
Gordon Brown has announced in a fanfare of publicity that he wishes to see, subject to House of Commons approval, regional select committees to match the recent appointment of regional ministers. | more |
26 June 2007 
Gordon Brown has announced that he will make affordable housing a national crusade. | more |
12 June 2007
The Devon Primary Care Trust recently announced the complete withdrawal of the subsidised Voluntary Hospital Car Service in terms strongly reminiscent of George Orwell's 1984 or the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. | more |
29 May 2007
Last week, David Miliband, the Secretary of State for Defra appeared to give evidence before the Defra Select Committee of the House of Commons of which I am a member. | more |