Promoted by Matthew Edmonds on behalf of Christine Emmett and Corby and East Northants Conservatives all at Cottingham Road, Corby NN17 1SZ. Printed by Stroma, Unit 17, 142 Johnson Street, Southall, Middx, UB2 5FD.

Autumn 2012

Building a Strong community for Corby and East Northants

Corby & East Northants

CHRISTINE ‘S VIEW ON KEY FAITH ISSUESChristine Emmett answers some of your questions on important faith issues. page 3

Firstly, can I thank everyone for the kind responses I have received on the doorstep. It has been

really encouraging and unlike Labour’s relentlessly negative campaign, I want to give you a

number of positive reasons as to why you should vote for me.

Hard Work: From starting work as an Auxiliary Nurse, to running big businesses, I have worked

hard all my life and know how important a healthy economy is to our local community. I have

the skill set, the work ethic and the business experience to lead from the front in a continual

campaign to bring new businesses and investment into Corby and East Northamptonshire.

Stronger Families: I will do all I can to drive standards of education up in our local schools.

Education leads to aspiration and drives economic growth. I also want to see NHS provision

improve locally and work to ensure that all services at Kettering Hospital improve over the

coming years. Remember, only the Conservative Party have guaranteed spending on the NHS.

Taking Responsibility: I give you my word I will stand up and be counted for you. I don’t just

join campaigns, I lead them and I’ll be leading the campaigns to get us a referendum on our

future relationship with Europe and to stop the massive subsidies for onshore wind farms.

Serving Others: I mean to be the best MP that you have ever had! I’ll have offices

and hold regular surgeries across the constituency, attend local events, be easily

contactable and approachable at all times.

Aspiration: I believe that, working together, we can make this fantastic part of

Northamptonshire one of the best places in the UK to live and work in. I want to get

behind you – and people like you – who want to get on in life and are willing to work

hard to do exactly that.

I know you understand that the last Labour government nearly ruined our great country by

borrowing and spending huge amounts and then leaving the country in huge debt. We are now

just beginning to sort out the economic mess they left us with.

By voting for me, you are voting for someone who’ll work hard to improve the local and national

economy and in return, I promise to always look out for you.

InsideFAITH & POLITICSLOCAL CLLR DAVID SIMS ON HOW HIS FAITH UNDERPINS HIS POLITICS

HELP FOR THE WORLD’S POORWhy maintaining help for the World’s poor is an important part of Conservative beliefs. page 2

Community News

2 Corby & East Northants Community News

What is the Conservative Christian Fellowship

www.conservatives.com

As the world’s 7th largest economy we do have a moral

obligation to help those less fortunate than ourselves. So

notwithstanding the tough decisions we’ve had to make to get our own economy back in order we have not cut funding to the World’s most needy people.

Our target is to give 0.7% of our gross income as a country to the poorest nations, a tiny fraction of what we spend on help for our own people here who need it but an absolute lifeline for them.

In return we ask for clear proof it goes to those who need it, and over the past two years it has enabled 11.9 million people to work their way out of poverty by providing access to financial services.

Take a country like Malawi which after years of drought has now staved off famine by British Aided vouchers to farmers to buy seeds and fertilizer when the rains come. Or the big push to eradicate childhood diseases like diphtheria, polio and tetanus in the poor countries, which our own children are immunised against, and which has seen over 12 million children vaccinated.

MAINTAINING HELP FOR THE WORLD’S POOR

Richard Piper Griffith from CCF interviewsCHRISTINE EMMETT

By Caroline Spelman MP

The Conservative Christian Fellowship is a membership organisation of Christians who support the Conservatives. Our members range from those who just vote Conservative and want to pray and encourage decision makers to

MPs, Councillors & Peers.The CCF contributes to the life and thinking of

the Conservative Party and seeks to build a strong, relational bridge between the party and the Christian community. The CCF facilitates meetings

between the Christian community and the party

on various policy areas such as education, international

development, home affairs and community cohesion.

The Vision and Mission of the CCF is:n Inspiring Christians who support the

Conservatives to make a positive impact on societyn to build a strong, relational bridge between the Party and the Christian Communityn to seek out Christians who support the

Conservatives, and encourage and equip them to play their part

n to provide help and support to each member in their own quest to make a differencen to embed prayer as the foundation of all our activity and fellowship

Christine visiting an orphanage in Uganda

COULD YOU TELL ME ABOUT GROWING UP IN LIVERPOOL AND YOUR EDUCATION?

grew up in a family-based community within Liverpool, with my Grandmother, three uncles and an aunt all living on the same road. This meant that as a child I felt protected

and supported in whatever I did which was great. I remember when I was about to start my Church-run secondary comprehensive school, and the whole family clubbed together to buy my school uniform.

I have fond memories of school, where the nuns inspired a strong work ethic in us. At night they would stay behind and clean the school so that more money could be spent on our education, and this left a lifelong impression on me. It’s important to have a strong sense of identity and to be comfortable in knowing who you are. Sadly it seems too many young people think that shows like the X Factor are reality.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO ENTER POLITICS AND STAND AS A CANDIDATE IN CORBY AND EAST NORTHANTS?

was sitting down watching television with my husband and got infuriated by what Tony Blair was saying when my husband said, “well if you think

you can do any better why don’t you stand?”, so I did. I’ve lived in the area for 20 years and am passionate about the community, so when the opportunity to stand for Corby and East Northamptonshire came up I quickly applied, having been a local councillor for a number of years already.

WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN PRIORITIES AND KEY ISSUES THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO TACKLE?

eople want a local advocate in Westminster that represents their views. So far people have told me that they want me to encourage

investment, continue the employment growth that the area has seen, support local schools and teachers in encouraging children to achieve the best they can, and ensure that the NHS continues to improve.

WHY AND HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR EVERYONE TO GET OUT AND VOTE?

eople of faith have to stand up and be counted, their views matter and legislation can affect

us all. Politicians must understand that supporting families, delivering a tolerant society and setting standards for our children to follow are important.

HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR FAITH AND YOUR FAMILY TO YOU?

y faith guides me in everything I do. It has also supported me through difficult times and it is important

in a job serving the public to have the full support of my family and the greater church. I feel blessed to have both. I’ve been an active member of the Conservative Christian Fellowship for many years.

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Find out more about the CCF by visiting their website:www.christian- conservatives.org.uk

Conservative candidate in the Corby and East Northants by-election, Christine Emmett, answers some of your questions on faith issues

n What are your views on same-sex marriage?I fully support people who are both gay or straight in their desire to have monogamous, committed relationships. I recognise fidelity, commitment and love as really important and commend the ambition behind the idea of same-sex marriage. However, unlike Labour and the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives will not be holding a three-line whip on the issue. I would fight any move by any party, if I thought that churches and vicar’s would be punished if their conscience prevented them from conducting same-sex ceremonies.

n How important is it to encourage a strong sense of family?I believe that family is one of the greatest institutions in modern society, and forms the bedrock of a child’s upbringing. Grandparents in particular can be a tremendous support for parents and children as they cope with the pressures of modern life. Not only are they valuable babysitters, but they can provide wise counsel and guidance. Some of you have spoken about foster grandparents, and this is a great idea for vulnerable families in providing stability and love in what can be tough home-life situations, and if elected I would look into how this process could be improved.

n What do you think are the important issues for this constituency?There are numerous important problems that Corby and East Northants faces, such as unemployment, the economy, housing and education, all of which impact on everyone’s daily lives. The Conservative party is the only one with a viable approach to these problems though, and we are beginning to see the positive effects that current legislation is having.

n What are your views on abortion?This is a hugely emotive subject that divides opinions like few other subjects can. In these matters Conservatives are always left alone to vote with their conscience. I think it is important to have a pragmatic approach to this issue, and whilst I want to see the number of abortions reduced, I also think we need to provide greater support for pregnant women, and particularly young women, so that they can make an informed decision.

n What do you think about the celebrity culture?I think that the idea that we can get ‘something-for-nothing’ is dangerous, particularly for our children, and TV shows like X Factor encourage the idea that this celebrity lifestyle is something that we should all desire. I believe it is important for our children to have a strong family grounding, and that by giving them support and encouragement they can flourish.

3Corby & East Northants Community News

Whatever their political persuasion, I find that the vast majority of people in public life have a genuine desire to see justice and fairness, people living safely without fear, and able to prosper and participate fully in society. All of these things involve a deeply moral dimension, whether it is explicitly expressed or not.

Over the last couple of years the pressures on everyone in public life, not least in local government, have mounted to a level we have probably not seen for generations. It is clear we cannot avoid making difficult decisions affecting people’s lives. Not surprisingly, the motivations and decisions of all those in public roles are being scrutinised and questioned like never before.

We can take great comfort about where our moral principles are founded, not on unthinking tradition nor social convention, but much deeper, on God’s eternal love for the entire world that has been tried and tested and not found wanting.

It is a great encouragement to me to see an increasing number of Christians recognise their call to serve their communities in public life, not out of a love of power, but persuaded by the power of love. This ranges from those who are prepared to serve the democratic process in relatively mundane and unseen ways, but also includes our Parliamentary Candidate, Christine Emmett, who needs our support.

above Christine with her husband David, and their dog Fred on their recent pilgrimage to Iona

Oakley Vale, Cllr. David Sims describes how his faith guides his everyday political thinking.

Find out more about Christine’s campaign at www.vote4christine.co.uk

Christine out and about getting people’s views

Faith and Politics

MY VIEWS ON KEY FAITH ISSUES

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How we use your informationThe data you provide will be retained by the Conservative Party and Corby & East Northants Conservatives (“the data holders”) in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 and related legislation. By providing your data to us, you are consenting to the data holders making contact with you in the future by telephone, text or other means, even though you may be registered with the Telephone Preference Service. Your data will not be sold or given to anyone not connected to the Conservative Party. If you do not want the information you give to us to be used in this way, or for us to contact you, please indicate by ticking the relevant boxes: Post □ Email □ SMS □ Phone □

PLEASE RETURN TO:Corby & East Northants Conservative Association, Cottingham Road, Corby NN17 1SZ

Promoted by Matthew Edmonds on behalf of Christine Emmett and Corby and East Northants Conservatives all at Cottingham Road, Corby NN17 1SZ. Printed by Stroma, Unit 17, 142 Johnson Street, Southall, Middx, UB2 5FD.

4 Corby & East Northants Community News www.conservatives.com

HELP CHRISTINE WIN IN CORBYWant to help Christine’s campaign?Contact us on:

t: 01536 200 255e: office@cenca.co.uke: www.vote4christine.co.uka: Corby & East Northants Conservatives

Exchange CourtCottingham RoadCorbyNN17 1TY @byelection

Follow Christine’s campaign on Twitter

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Christine is passionate about the issues affecting her community of Corby and East Northants, such as local jobs, wind farms and

local N.H.S. provisions, having previously been involved in several organisations campaigning for local decision-making and the strengthening of communities.

An accomplished local businesswoman and Councillor, Christine regularly attends St Peter’s church in Barrowden and Wakerley with her family, where her daughter plays violin in the church band. Outside politics Christine has had a wide range of experience

in the public, private and voluntary sectors.Brought up in Liverpool attending a church-

run comprehensive school, Christine secured a place studying at Manchester University studying Economics and Social Sciences. Whilst at university, Christine worked in a number of part-time jobs, including as an auxiliary nurse, packing margarine, and as a barmaid to help fund her education.

Christine lives locally with her family and would be honoured to serve the people of Corby and East Northants, giving you a strong voice as your Member of Parliament on local and national issues.

CHRISTINE EMMETT:A Strong Local

voice

for Corby and

East Northants

Christine with fundraisers from St Mary’s church, Ringstead

Christine attended a recent Churches Together service in Corby, what a great organisation this is to encourage more Christians to work together across faith groups and participate in public life.>