A packed house at the Broadway Hotel,  Letchworth, heard an incisive speech from former Enfield North Conservative MP, Nick de Bois. Nick is a best selling author of the book ‘Confessions of a Recovering MP’. His honest, humorous and in depth view of the Houses of Parliament as written by a new backbench MP was very well received.

Nick was also Chief of Staff to Dominic Raab, when he was Brexit Secretary, and he was able to tell us many stories of his time negotiating with Michel Barnier in Brussels.

Finally Nick was able to get legislation passed via a Private Members Bill in Parliament, to strengthen sentences for knife crimes. A subject that attracted many questions and much support.

Questions to Nick varied  from the role of the Prime Minister to the likelihood of a general election.

Thanking Nick, Sir Oliver Heald our own MP, noted what an active member Nick had been in the House and he was missed.

Sir Oliver pointed out that the current concentration on Brexit by the media had meant that many good news stories were not being covered. The economy was now one of the strongest in Europe, employment was at an all time high, and despite the turmoil over Brexit, the Country was doing well.

Finally good wishes were given to all the candidates for the forthcoming local elections on 2 May.

National issues should not be the focus of the  local elections, as at local level Conservative Councils continued to provide value for taxpayers and Conservative Councillors and candidates were working hard to improve the environment of their local towns and villages.