This in from the office of Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Andrew Turner. Ed
Around 60 business representatives gathered at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club in Fishbourne to hear Mrs Morgan speak.
She began her speech light-heartedly describing being involved in a political reshuffle; joking about how, unlike in other walks of life, you don’t apply for a post; instead you are shown into a room in Downing Street, sat down and asked by the Prime Minister if you would ‘like to do’ a particular job – but to refuse would be ‘a severely career limiting move’.
Island connection
She went on to tell the audience that she knew the Island’s MP Andrew Turner, from the time when he ran the Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation more than 20 years ago, and that her links to the Island included five years when her parents had lived in Fishbourne, only a ‘stone’s throw’ from the Yacht Club where she was speaking.
Importance of a long term economic plan
She moved on to outline some of the support that the Government was making available to small businesses and how important it is that there is a long term economic plan in place, covering not just the immediate future; but the next five, ten and fifteen years.
The coalition government had come together in a time of economic crisis; and although it is very welcome news that there has been significant progress and the economy has finally grown larger than it was in 2008, pre-recession, the job is not yet done. We must keep on course. She is keen to look at new ways of involving businesses in education, bringing benefits to both sides.
On her role as Minister for Women
She closed her speech by talking about her role as Minister for Women, and her belief that girls should not feel that any doors are closed to them, describing the importance of role models to inspire and help them. Questions from the audience followed.
Mr Turner said:
“It was great to have Nicky come down to support my business club. She is a really great speaker and the feedback I have received so far has been very positive. We also raised £280 for Ryde Inshore Rescue, whose boats were vandalised recently. We held a lucky-dip for seats on Nicky’s table and she signed a bottle of House of Commons whisky which Dale Howarth kindly auctioned for me – the winner promptly re-donated it so that it can be used to raise even more money for the service.
“Anybody who wishes to be kept informed of future Business Club events should let my office know; we are already planning the next supper. The only downside is that Nicky will be a hard act to follow!”
