MP becomes Shadow Minister just days after visit to Newbury Business Group - mere coincidence?

No sooner does the Newbury MP Richard Benyon come to West Berkshire's foremost networking organisation, the Newbury Business Group, than he is promoted to the Shadow Front Bench.

On Friday he was a mere Whip, keeping the Opposition in shape - and then Monday he is promoted to the important role of Environment Minister!

Richard Benyon told the Newbury Weekly News' website, Newbury Today:

“I am delighted to have been given this challenging role and I look forward to doing what I can to support fishing, farming and other aspects of the rural economy.

“I have really enjoyed my time in the Whip’s office, I learned a lot about how Parliament works but it’s good to move to a shadow ministerial role to see how policies affect people and taking through important pieces of legislature.”

Now, he didn't mention his visit to Newbury Business Group in his comments, but surely it cannot have been far from his mind?! Could his visit to the high profile group of business owners and entrepreneurs have influenced the Leader of the Opposition in his reshuffle?

With my Newbury Business Group chairman's tongue firmly in cheek, I have to conclude we may never know...

MP hears despair... and hope at Newbury Business Group breakfast

The pain of the recession was heard loud and clear when the MP for Newbury, Richard Benyon, met with members and guests at the Newbury Business Group on Friday morning; he also saw the passion and drive that illustrates why these business owners and entrepreneurs will survive.

There was a record turnout at the Newbury Business Group on Friday as members and guests gathered over breakfast at Donnington Valley Golf Club to hear from the local MP, who made it clear he understood the impact of the slowdown, but also sought to put it into perspective.

He railed against the tick box culture of credit qualification and lamented the loss of local business bank managers who understood the local economy and the needs of local business. He also took the opportunity to explain how much more comprehensive the stimulus package supported by the Conservatives was, in contrast to that being pushed through by the Government.

Soon the tables were turned and topics raised with the MP ranged from the stifled cashflow within the credit market, and the knock on that is having for businesses, through to angry recriminations against the Government – at one point the MP had to point out he was a member of the Opposition!

There were suggestions too – Carol Brown, a mortgage broker from Your First Mortgage Co. suggested that as the Government was making so little money from house sales, couldn’t stamp duty be stopped or at least reduced to stimulate the property market. It was something My Benyon concurred with and said a stamp duty holiday could be a good idea.

There was frustration about the small reduction in VAT, which the MP said had wasted £50 billion that could have been better used.

Managing Director of business software developers Kaizen, Robin Winnett said education needed to be addressed so vocational qualifications had the same merits as academic subjects, called for more collaboration in business and in Parliament, while photographer Giles Penfound despaired at the lack of leadership in politics.

Newbury Business Group chairman, Nigel Morgan, of Hungerford-based public relations consultancy Morgan PR, closed the meeting, thanking Richard Benyon and concluded: “This has been a terrific meeting and I honestly believe the members of the Newbury Business Group are the owners and entrepreneurs who show the leadership that will get them through this recession and the collaboration that has long been a hallmark of the group will ensure they flourish. It is why we are the foremost networking group in West Berkshire.”

Speaking after the breakfast, Mr Benyon said: "This was a really useful session which allowed me to show how an alternative approach to business and the recession would work and for me to hear firsthand accounts of the experience for entrepreneurs and risk takers at this worrying time"

The Newbury Business Group meets for breakfast at 7.30am every Friday at the Donnington Valley Golf Club. Guests are welcome, but should book in advance by emailing info@morganpr.co.uk

West Berkshire MP to visit Newbury Business Group

West Berkshire MP Richard Benyon will be joining local entrepreneurs and business owners for breakfast next week when he visits the Newbury Business Group.

With the recession really starting to bite it will be provide an opportunity for both members of the networking group and the local Member of Parliament to find out more about the impact of the downturn on local businesses.

As the group chairman I feel that the very nature of the dynamic individuals who belong to Newbury Business Group places them as the forefront of those most capable of dealing with the downturn in the economy, but that does not mean they are not facing real challenges out there.

We know Richard Benyon has been involved in discussions with many local businesses and we wanted to hear his views on the economy and it is really encouraging that he is so keen to listen to the thoughts of our members too. Clearly this is going to be a powerful business breakfast.”

Richard Benyon is excited about coming the the meeting too. He said: “It is really good to be invited to one of West Berkshire’s leading business networking groups.

“I find these events really useful. I will hear at firsthand what is really happening in the local economy. At Westminster everyone has an opinion about the recession but it is only when you talk to people who are facing the credit crisis and the recession in their own businesses on a daily basis that you really understand what is going on.”

While Richard Benyon will be the guest of honour at the event on the 16th January at Donnington Valley Golf Club, there are limited spaces for guests who might be interested in joining the Newbury Business Group – if you would like to come along for breakfast at 7.30am, please contact me promptly via the Morgan PR website.