BBC Three Counties Radio called at 8.15am asking for an interview, prime time. Did I agree with the idea, put forward in the Quality of Life report, to charge shoppers for using supermarket car parks? The interviewer was banging on about how it was a “no brainer” a “vote loser”. It was awful. I felt sick.

Who on earth put that forward as a reasonable policy idea?

I could only answer truthfully and said that was an idea I simply could not defend or support. It is, however, the case that we do need to address the fact that the local high street is in decline.

The substantive issue is that the high street and local facilities are an integral part of any community, and that if an aim and objective is to re build neighbourly communities, then we need to ensure that each and every community has the infrastructure it requires in order to function. Local communities need schools, dentists, doctors, local pubs, a church and shops in order to provide a heart and a focus. I cited Ampthill in my constituency as a case in point - a great community with a heart, a soul and a High Street.

The emphasis needs to move away from large, flat and free car parking at out of town superstores. However, they have a role to play here as they do in every country. The responsibility is with town planners to manage the local community and environment, and to achieve the right balance. I said at least the Conservative party is addressing the issue and attempting to find solutions.

After the interview was over, I stayed on the line for a minute to hear the conversation between Roberto Peroni and Catherine, the breakfast show presenters. Catherine said “That was Nadine Dorries, MP for Mid Bedfordshire. She wasn’t going to defend the idea was she? How refreshing is that, an honest politician, I wonder if politicians realise how much respect they get when they are truthful with us and the public."

It was 8.25 ish by this point, school run time - I felt sick no more.


Iain Dale and I had a conversation late last night about the importance of him having a complete rest on his holiday. Given the invasiveness of blogging, I told him, in a very sisterly way, that he must not blog and take a complete rest. He promised me he would.

3am this morning I am woken by my Blackberry, which I forgotten to switch off. It was an email from Iain sending me the transcript of his interview with Boris earlier that day.

Was I talking to a brick wall or what?

Visit Iain Dale's Blog Here

Nadine, well darling, would you rather have been woken up by anyone else? I am now heeding your advice. I have lasted eight hours so far. I really should have left the Crackberry at home though... Totally agree with your comments above on parking charges. Utter madness.

Thank you very much for showing the picture of Ampthill. Good to see you back and blogging again. I read your blog twice in the paper last week.

Iain Dale? Didn't he get blown up flying to Lake Como? Oh well, we'll have to put up with his blog for another few years. Pity, That Shane Greer (mini Iain) was doing rather well

Diablo - steady! :-)

For those interested the photo of the Market Square in Ampthill shows Redbornstoke Morris and judging by the people in the set the photo is probably at least a year old. Redbornstoke is the local men's side and has been going now for over 30yrs - there is also a local women's side (Bedfordshire Lace) The dance is most likely one of our "Ampthill" dances

I've just read in todays Daily Mail that as well as charging people to park in car parks the party is proposing that anyone who wants to extend their house would have to pay a small fortune to Greenify it (windmills on the roof etc.) before they are allowed to. I remember Michael Foots 1983 manifesto was dubbed the longest suicide note in history. Is Cameron trying to trump this?

I hope the honesty is wide spread amongst many Conservative MP's in private meetings with the top brass. This really needs sorting and very fast.

Thanks for that Chas!