January 16, 2017 2.22 pm
This story is over 56 months old
Karl McCartney: The importance of staying true to what you believe in
Politics never sleeps. We are only a few weeks into the New Year and we have already seen the soap opera surrounding the outgoing and incoming Presidents of the USA taking fresh twists and turns. The Labour leader, the Rt. Hon. Jeremy Corbyn MP, has proved himself again to be beyond satire as he seemingly…
Lincoln MP Karl McCartney. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter
Politics never sleeps. We are only a few weeks into the New Year and we have already seen the soap opera surrounding the outgoing and incoming Presidents of the USA taking fresh twists and turns.
The Labour leader, the Rt. Hon. Jeremy Corbyn MP, has proved himself again to be beyond satire as he seemingly changed his mind on EU immigration policy and salary caps within a matter of hours.
We have also seen our financial institutions and economists starting to (finally) admit their forecasts on Brexit were overblown as we see the economy grow apace meaning more jobs and wealth for our country, though the important thing for me is to ensure everyone benefits.
There continues to be pressures on the NHS nationally and locally, and I would like to pay tribute and thank our local doctors, nurses and other health professionals for their sterling commitment and support over the Christmas and New Year period. We all should remember that they do the same important role every day of the year.
In terms of those pressures, the decision by the local Clinical Commissioning Group to close two surgeries in Lincoln, displacing 5,500 people, remains a real concern. A decision that risks increasing GP appointment waiting times across the city.
Further pressures from any other closures in either the city or our county will only add further pressures to the service.
The pressures on our NHS also show why we need to urgently bring immigration down. Figures released just before Christmas showed 333,000 more people settled in this country than left – the equivalent of having to accommodate the population of cities such as Nottingham or Leicester every single year.
These immigration figures need to be addressed urgently. It is now the time to do, not just say.
I was pleased to see that our Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Theresa May MP, in her first major speech of the year set out a clear Conservative vision for the United Kingdom, a vision of a Shared Society is one I wholeheartedly agree with.
Like her I want to ensure that everyone in our country, county and city is able to share in the success of the country and be able to make the very best of their lives, for themselves, their families and the community.
The key question as ever is to how to put this in practice. The support the Conservative government has made in raising the national living wage, allowing people to earn more before they start paying tax and the recent announcement to tackle homelessness in our city are vital steps on this journey.
I will be playing my part in this, especially in continuing to raise the profile of the need to tackle the underachievement of boys in the education system and the lack of male teachers in our schools.
I commend the speech I made on this subject in September 2016 to everyone and it can be read and viewed here.
I was struck on Thursday with the Thought for the Day from Canon Angela Tilby on BBC Radio 4.
It is well worth a listen. She speaks very eloquently about the need for authenticity in politics and the pressures placed on politicians to not say what they really feel and believe in. This does not just apply to Members of Parliament, it is also applies to our city and county councillors from all sides. There is always this constant pressure to conform.
This stems from collective decision making, the fact that political parties are “broad churches” so there will never always be agreement on all party policy and also pressure from party whips trying to bring everyone into line.
For some, the far too many who only venture into politics for self-advancement, this is not an issue as they do not believe in anything, except of course, their own self-advancement.
Please rest assured there are a substantial number of my colleagues who like me are firmly staying true to what I believe remains key to what I do and say, both in Lincoln and in Westminster – something that will never change, no matter the “pressures” I come under to conform.
It is what I believe the people of Lincoln want from their Member of Parliament. It is also what I believe the people across the country partly showed in their actions and votes in last year’s referendum.
Karl McCartney is the Conservative MP for Lincoln.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire at Lincoln YMCA.
The building on St Rumbold’s Street had to be evacuated after a fire in one of the bedrooms at around 10.50am on Thursday, October 21.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue has launched a fire investigation and police are also looking into the incident.
A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said: “People were evacuated from the building and a scene guard was put in place. No-one was injured.
“A 44-year-old was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent. Investigations are ongoing.”
An eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Lincolnite that she saw one police van, two police cars, and two fire engines at the scene. She said the fire alarm went off just after 10am and residents and staff were allowed back in at 11.25am.
A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue said: “Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue were called at 10.50am on October 21 to accommodation on St Rumbold’s Street where there was a fire in one of the bedrooms and the building was evacuated. A crew from Lincoln North and a crew from Lincoln South attended.
“The fire was primarily out on their arrival so crews used water to dampen down. A fire investigation is under way.”
With Greater Lincolnshire recording its highest number of Coronavirus cases on Wednesday and government pushing hard for booster jabs, here’s everything you need to know about where to get yours.
There were nearly a thousand new COVID cases recorded in Greater Lincolnshire on Wednesday, the highest daily tally so far — as Sajid Javid announced cases could reach 100,000 a day nationally.
The government has previously admitted winter will be “challenging” and health advisers have warned of “waning immunity” from vaccinations.
Booster vaccines are being pushed in order to improve the protection of those most at risk from COVID-19 and health bosses say it will give longer-term protection against serious illness from the virus.
So, who’s eligible for the vaccine?
To get a third dose of the vaccine you must have had your second jab at least six months ago.
The most vulnerable groups being targeted include:
people aged 50 and over
people who live and work in care homes
frontline health and social care workers
people aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill
people aged 16 and over who are a main carer for someone at high risk
people aged 16 and over who live with someone who is more likely to get infections including HIV-positive people, transplant patients or those having treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
People who are pregnant and in 1 of the eligible groups can also get a booster dose.
How to get your COVID-19 booster vaccine
Eligible patients will be contacted by the NHS when it’s their turn. It is best somewhere between six to nine months since your second jab.
The NHS is asking people not to contact them, though frontline or social care workers can book an appointment online and will usually get it through their employer.
Where will the vaccine be offered?
Most vaccines will be given at:
Lincolnshire Showground
Boston’s Princess Royal Sports Arena
A local pharmacy
A GP Surgery
Which COVID-19 vaccine will you get?
Most people will be offered Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or Moderna vaccine, but some may be offered Oxford/Astrazeneca if the others are not available
The booster dose may be different from the vaccines received for first and second doses.
It’s almost time for spooky season, and Lincolnshire is getting in the Halloween spirit with plenty of activities to either frighten or excite you.
From pumpkin trails to haunted tours and a chainsaw massacre takeover, there’s something to everyone, young and old, to enjoy in the county this Halloween.
The Lincolnite has already listed some of the best places you can go to pick pumpkins (see the list here), and there’s so many more events to look out for.
These are just a few of the many events planned in Lincolnshire for the Halloween season, and if you are aware of any more that should be mentioned, get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Lincoln BIG Ghost Bus Tour
Karen Crow is a Lincoln Ghost Walk tour guide and the town crier. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Lincoln Business Improvement Group will be offering bus tours with a spooky twist to get people into the Halloween spirit.
The sightseeing bus tour will be hosted by local ghost expert Karen Crow, who will guide you through Lincoln and tell tales of the city’s haunted past.
Tours are planned on Saturday, October 23 and Saturday, October 30, both starting at 6pm from outside Lincoln Cathedral, heading towards the castle walls and spanning across many landmarks in the city.
Tickets cost £8.50 and can be purchased from the Lincoln BIG website. It is suitable for all ages and seats will be allocated first come, first served.
Lincoln Pumpkin Trail
The Visit Lincoln Pumpkin Trail is back for another Halloween treat for all the family. | Photo: Visit Lincoln
Back by popular demand, Visit Lincoln’s Pumpkin Trail has returned to the uphill section of the city, with numerous pumpkins hidden in shop windows along the Bailgate and Steep Hill area.
The trail runs from Saturday, October 17 to Sunday, October 31, with a series of quiz questions to answer and facts to learn at each stop of the trail, as well as locating the pumpkins, of course.
It is totally free to take part, with a free map available to pick up from the Visitor Information Centre. There will be certificates and stickers available for everyone who gives it a try, and a prize draw for anyone who successfully completes the trail.
To enter the prize draw, completed quiz sheets need to be posted into the Visitor Information Centre or submitted online at the Visit Lincoln website by November 8.
Day of the Dead Parade
The Day of the Dead festival is inspired by the annual Mexican holiday. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Another popular event making a return to Lincoln is the Day of the Dead Parade, which invites people to embrace the colour and carnival attitude of celebrating Halloween.
The parade is led by a giant seven-foot skeleton that is walked through the city between 1-2pm and 3-4pm on Sunday, October 31 to round off the event.
You can create your own parade mask and paper flowers, as well as visiting the crafts stalls and listening to haunted stories during the weekend.
If skull musicians and playful Halloween characters sound like fun, then this free to visit parade is perfect for you.
Pecan’s Pumpkin Patch at Bransby Horses
You can pick your pumpkins at Bransby Horses this half term! | Photo: Visit Lincoln
Bransby Horses, located just a few miles outside of Lincoln, will have a Halloween theme throughout the spooky season, and has brought back its Pecan’s Pumpkin Patch for this year.
Pumpkins cost just £2.50 and you can pick yours from 10am to 4pm, seven days a week, from October 8 to October 31, with free entry and parking throughout half term.
Picking pumpkins and getting to see some of the beautiful horses they have at Bransby, what’s not to love?
Chainsaw Massacre Takeover at Axed & Escape
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Not one for the faint hearted, Axed Lincoln and Escape Lincoln have teamed up to host the Chainsaw Massacre Takeover – the only event of its kind in the city this year.
Exclusive sessions are available in Escape Lincoln’s special Chainsaw Massacre escape room, known as the scariest room in the region, and you might not be alone in there.
As for Axed Lincoln, they will host themed axe throwing lanes along with Halloween games and limited edition drinks.
The event is not recommended for under-18s, and will run from Friday, October 29 to Sunday, October 31, costing £100 for up to six axe throwers at Axed, and £100 for five players at the themed room at Escape Lincoln. Book from Escape Lincoln’s website and Axed Lincoln’s website respectively.
Fear Island at Fantasy Island theme park
Pirates, flesh eating WW2 soldiers and paranormal journeys at Fantasy Island’s Fear Island this year. | Photo: Fantasy Island
Fantasy Island will bring its theme park thrills into the spookiness of October with a month-long makeover called Fear Island.
Fear Island will have four brand new interactive scare mazes, running from October 9 until October 31.
The scariest of the lot will be Hellhole, which is lit only by a glowstick as visitors rummage through a dark netherworld trying to avoid a lost band of flesh eating WW2 soldiers.
There will also be a firework display at Island Beach on Saturday, October 30 after sunset, to add some colour to the Halloween season.
Uncle Henry’s Farm Shop, Butchery and Cafe in Gainsborough will play host to a number of Halloween events, not least converting the famous Maize Maze into a spooktacular experience.
The maze will have nine Halloween characters scattered around for you to find before it gets dark. Boots or wellies are advised for the maze.
As well as this, Uncle Henry’s will offer its own pumpkin patch and a game of Ghastly Golf – navigate your way through the nine-hole mini golf course with a twist.
It is open from 9.30am-5pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am-4pm on Sundays, with last entry to the maze coming an hour before the area closes. The Spooky Maize Maze runs from October 23 to October 31.
Dobbies’ Halloween Spooktacular
| Photo: Dobbies Garden Centre
Dobbies Garden Centre in Boston will also be getting in on the action this year, hosting a Halloween event for the whole family between Thursday, October 21 and Sunday, October 31.
For the children, there will be a fancy dress competition, games and music, as well as the opportunity for trick or treating, while adults can sit back with some delicious afternoon tea.
Tickets cost £8.99 for children and £6.50 for adults, and can be purchased from the Dobbies website.
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