Conservative Party Conference

Highlights will include:

• A packed programme of speeches and policy announcements from members of the Shadow Cabinet.
• Lively debates with everyone invited to contribute.
• A key note speech from David Cameron.
• Over 350 fringe events hosted by leading political thinkers and commentators.
• A lively social scene, with parties, drinks receptions, dinners and more.
• An opportunity to help make a difference by volunteering some time at our Social Action project.
• Over 70 exhibitors including the NSPCC, O2 and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
• A chance to meet a range of Party representatives including volunteers, councillors, MPs, candidates and CCHQ staff.
• Advice and help on all kinds of things from campaigning and membership to fundraising and websites.

How to book your tickets:

A 4-day pass costs just £68 for members (£35.50 for under 23’s) if you apply now – click here to reserve your place.

All Party Members are invited to attend – but if you're not yet a member, you can still attend if you join before 1st July.

For more information about this year's Conference, including advice on travel and accommodation, click here.

Bring Back Bendy Fruit! Euro rules are wasteful

Conservative MEP and Chairman of the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee, Neil Parish, has welcomed moves by the European Commission to simplify the barmy EU rules on fruit which would allow bendy cucumbers and funny shaped fruit to once again be sold in British shops.

European Agriculture Commissioner, Mariann Fischer Boel wants to simplify and loosen up the rules of marketing fruit and veg and is proposing a widespread cull of the existing 36 marketing standards which stipulate quality standards on a range of products from apricots to watermelons. Among those to go would be the infamous "cucumber" quality standard which ensures that cucumbers can not bend more than 10mm for every 10cm of length. In their place, the Commission is proposing just ten standards which would continue the existing rules on fruits such as apples, pears and kiwis and vegetables such as tomatoes and lettuces whilst ensuring that other products met a basic set of standards.

The Commissioner is however reported to have already run into trouble in the Council of Ministers with 18 of the 27 member states understood to be opposed to any changes with the French, Italians, Germans and Spanish amongst those planning to block any loosening up of the rules.

Mr Parish said :-

"Finally the European Commission comes up with a sensible idea aimed at getting rid of frankly silly rules which are all about the shape and not the quality of the product and lo and behold the usual suspects line up to block it. Quite why the French, Spanish, Germans and Italians want to continue the unjustified ban on bendy cucumbers is beyond me.

"The new rules will still ensure that all fruit and veg is clean and healthy whilst allowing people to enjoy the diversity that normal production brings. The regulations as they stand are unnatural, wasteful and serve no practical purpose other than ensuring that fruit and veg looks good. The British government must now support the Commission and use its influence to make other member states see sense."

June 10th - New Park Plans Revealed, Clifton Primary

The long awaited plans for the new look Waddington Park will be revealed on the 10th of June between 3 and 6 pm. The presentation hosted by Clifton Primary School will be led by Cllr Keith Hyde whom has been instrumental in getting this project off the ground.

Keith Said "Iam delighted with the scheme and the new Park Friends Committee made up of local parents is full of enthusiasm and raring to go, the local residents are fully behind the scheme, we will use the 10th to get the fundraising programme off the ground"

Residents from Heyhouses and Park Wards are invited to attend the showing of the plans and it is hoped that we can sign more people up to help with the project. The scheme includes areas for young and old alike, also incorporating a nature reserve area. Clifton County Primary School will also adopt an area on the Park to develop and maintain as part of the schools environmental awareness programme.

Keith added "This key area of the Ward will become a focal point for the whole community and teenagers will also have their own area to enjoy, I hope the community will come out to support our work"

Residents can also view the progress of the park at the Friends Group's own website www.makewaddywonderfull.org.uk