My Ministerial Role and My Constituency - Ed Vaizey MP

 

I have been made the Minister for Culture, Communications and the Creative Industries. This is a long title, possibly one of the longest in Government. It also includes in effect two jobs. One is to cover the arts, libraries, broadcasting and the creative industries over at the Department for Culture Media and Sport (known as DCMS). The other is to cover broadband roll out, telecoms, and illegal filesharing over at the Department of Business (known as BIS). Phew.

As a local MP, it is interesting to consider how these responsibilities affect people in the constituency. The first and most obvious is broadband rollout. About ten per cent of all homes do not have broadband at all, and about one in 3 have very poor broadband, mainly in rural areas. There are some parts of the constituency that remain affected. Our aim is to get everyone to have a basic broadband service by the end of 2012, and to roll out high speed broadband over the next few years. If you have any issues with broadband do let me know.

I also cover what is known as illegal filesharing. This is a hugely controversial new law which would allow internet companies to temporarily disconnect people if it could be proved that they have been copying music or films without proper authorisation.  This is something we have to act on, as every piece of music that is copied illegally takes money away from artists and creators, who provide a lot of money for the economy. We're looking to introduce the new measures next year, but no one will be cut off (and then only temporarily) without plenty of warning and a chance to change their behaviour.

Another issue that is likely to be prominent is libraries, which I also cover. Libraries are very important to local communities, but as money becomes tighter, they may suffer. I will use my position to try and ensure that we can make responsible savings so that libraries continue to provide important services for local people - not just book borrowing, but also education and access to broadband and other local and national services.

One local issue has already cropped up which affects my ministerial responsibilities directly. The local television transmitter burnt down, and cannot be replaced until September (they have to build a new one from scratch). Many people have had their TV coverage affected and are understandably looking for a speedy solution and I am looking into this.

I continue to focus on other local issues as normal. I met with those campaigning against the reservoir, ahead of the public enquiry. I am continuing to campaign for a new station at Grove. And I was delighted that the new Government threw out the housing targets which have led to plans for huge housing developments across the constituency. It may not affect those where planning permission has already been granted but it could lead to a rethink where no decision has yet been made.

Recent constituency engagements include a spot of metal detecting (I also cover archaeology!) and as a judge for Didcot's Got Talent, a great night for pupils aged 6-11 to show off their talents. I tried not to be too Simon Cowell-ish!

I can still be contacted at the House of Commons, SW1A 0AA, 020 7219 6350 vaizeye@parliament.uk

Next surgeries are 9 July: Grove, Old Mill Hall and 23 July: Didcot, King Alfred Drive Community Centre both at 530pm

About Ed Vaizey MP

Name: Edward Vaizey

Constituency: Wantage

Party: Conservative

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