Karen Bradley was campaigning in and around Waterhouses on Monday where she met another wide range of businesses from PR agencies to builders merchants - reinforcing her view that the only typical thing about Staffordshire Moorlands is its variety! Karen got a warm welcome at the Yew Tree pub in Cauldon Low. Karen said:
"As a publican's daughter I know the importance of the village pub. But since the election campaign started I've had to change my rule when I worked behind the bar of never talking politics, football or religion in the pub! We had a great lunch at The Yew Tree and it was interesting to talk to Alan, the landlord, about his great achievement in keeping the place going so long. Despite the pressures on his business that have got far worse under Labour. I know that Conservative policies will help small businesses including removing Labour's tax on jobs".
Karen also met Jane at Shepherd PR in Calton and was impressed by their approach. Karen said:
"Jane is running a great business and shows how the Moorlands can support all sorts of industries with activity that is not confined to our area. I share her frustration with the cost of transport in the UK in getting to London to work with clients there. We need much more appropriate investment in rail services to help companies like Shepherd get into new markets. The Conservative plans to push High Speed Rail will be a good start."
It was from pubs, to PR, to timber as Karen then went to JW Howson's builders merchants. Howson's are another local employer who have struggled through the recession and now look for an improvement in the economy. Karen said:
"Our plans to remove regulation will help all businesses - but particulary small and medium sized ones like Howson's grow".