Report by Councillor Hilary Hibbert–Biles

This is the first opportunity I have had since the elections in June last year to say thank you for my re election. I was delighted my majority increased to near on 1,000. This was very much a team effort and I would like to thank everyone who helped the election campaign. This year we will have elections for a new District Councillor for Chipping Norton. We will need everybody’s help so as not to lose the seat.

We will also have a General Election, perhaps at the same time. This is the best opportunity we have had in many years to elect a Conservative Government. Every vote counts. If you will be away on polling day, please ask WOCA, WODC or a member of the Conservative Committee for a proxy voting form or a postal vote form. We must win the election. Another 4 years of Labour will be a disaster.

This last year I have had the privilege to be the Vice Chairman of the County Council. I have enjoyed my year immensely. In this capacity I have represented the Council at various events and I started the initiative of Council representation at the repatriation of our service men and women. Wootton Bassett is always shown as the town mourning our servicemen however Oxfordshire also have a significant number of men women and children that line the streets leading to the John Radcliffe Hospital with the British Legion leading the way. I am proud to represent the people of Oxfordshire on these sad occasions.

Of course the Care Home and Hospital are well under way although we are having a hiccup with Department of Health guidance over the nurses. The Conservatives have said they will reverse this legislation should they win the election which will mean the agreement reached with the Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee will be upheld and the nurses will be seconded to the OSJ for three years and thereafter another review.

There is no doubt that the forthcoming years will be difficult regardless of which party is elected. I have laid out the budget from the County Council.

Lastly I would like to give my thanks to Robert Townley who is standing down as our District Councillor. I really wish he would stay on. However I thank him for all his help and support over the last 4 years. He has represented Chipping Norton brilliantly and for me has always been an excellent sounding board. May I wish him all the very best for the future.

It has taken Labour thirteen years to destroy the balance of the British constitution.  What is most surely needed now is a General Election.  We need to make certain that when Gordon Brown eventually decides to go to the country, your considered opinion is that only a Conservative Government can start getting us back on track.  It will take time; such is the depth of the problem.  Difficult decisions lie ahead but at least a fresh approach from our young leader will inspire confidence to win back the hearts and minds of the British electorate.

Let's hope the "expenses issue" is well behind us so that we can focus on what's really important to all of us. This discredited government is clearly tired and has run out of steam, yet it insists on soldiering on.  What we need, what the country needs, is a fresh start and this can only be achieved by a David Cameron led government.

Do you think it's there for the taking or do you feel, as your Conservative Branch does, that we cannot afford to sit back and wait for it to happen?  We have to continue to work for it.  All of us have to work for it by promoting Conservative policies and doing more to encourage supporters to become members of our party.

Chipping Norton and District time after time returns councillors for Town, District and more recently Hilary Biles to County Council.  This is thanks to those of you who pledged support for our party and worked hard to achieve these victories.  But we have to ask you for more.  We need, as already stated, more members, more helpers, more youth support and if we can do this and it is repeated throughout the country we will achieve Government: that is the only way, as I see it.

David Cameron and his shadow cabinet are working tirelessly to make a better and safer life for us all but this cannot be achieved in opposition.  We need to be at the helm to steer the country on to a safe course and keep it there.

What can we do to help David win the next General Election?  I asked him last week and he was very definite in his reply.  "Help by giving your time to assist in the 140 marginal seats that we are targetting."  Our Association is responsible for assisting Oxford West and Abingdon, and Cheltenham target seats.  If you are able to help please contact me or any branch committee member or local councillor so that we can plan for this campaign.

My message to you is clear: stay sound and resolute, don't waver in your support for David Cameron and his shadow cabinet.  David deserves your loyalty so let's give it to him NOW. If you are already a member we thank you for your continued confidence in our great party.  If you pledge your support at elections please continue to do so but think also how you can do more, perhaps by being more active, more vocal, Join us now, we need more members and it will be your commitment that will swing the next General Election our way.

Bob Hayward

Chairman