Congratulations to Lynne Hillan

The friends of Mike Freer warmly congratulate Lynne Hillan on her re-election as leader of Barnet Conservatives last night. We urge all members of the party to get behind Lynne now, put the past behind us and address the challenges which face us. The party has recognised that Lynne is the best person for the job. Lets let her get on with it, with our wholehearted backing

Mike Freer MP – A local champion for Finchley and Golders Green

Whilst most MP's expect their constituents to come to them, Mike is going to meet the people. We've raised money to buy Mike a battle bus so he can hold his constituency surgeries in places convenient to his constituents. MP's in rural areas have been doing this for years, but we believe it is a first for a London MP.

Barnet Conservatives Leadership challenge

The Friends of Freer note with interest that a Leadership battle is brewing for Mikes old job. This looks likely to be an interesting contest between two highly talented candidates. We urge all our friends who are councillors to consider the choices very carefully before making any decision. It would be most unfair of the Friends of Freer to come out in support of either of these great Councillors. We trust the good sense of all concerned to do their homework and make the right decision.

Former Council Leader Brian Salinger pays tribute to Mike

Former Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Brian Salinger spoke to the Hendon Times today, acknowledging the superb job done by Mike as Leader of Barnet Council. He told them :-

"[Former council leader] Victor Lyon, myself and Mike Freer, worked very hard to raise the profile of Barnet in the local government world. We had taken Barnet to a level where it was regarded as one of the best local authorities in the country"

When people who have done the job make such comments, it is high praise. It is good to see Mike finally geting the recognition he deserves for the great job he did as Leader of Barnet Council.

A few changes to the site

We've taken off the feed from Mike's Twitter account. Mike felt that the restricted Twitter format wasn't working as well as he'd like for the important issues he's dealing with. We're looking at ways to get the latest news to you in a more interesting and informative format

If you are missing Mike's tweets, then you can get emails from the following website, every time Mike Speaks in Parliament

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/alert/?only=1&pid=24934

You might also be interested to see Mikes voting record since entering Parliament, I think you'll agree he's been busy !

House	Date	Subject	Mike Freer	Con Vote	Rôle
Commons	7 Jul 2010	Opposition Day — [3rd allotted day] — Jobs and the Unemployed	Majority	no	Loyal
Commons	6 Jul 2010	Finance Bill — Second Reading	Majority	aye	Loyal
Commons	29 Jun 2010	Opposition Day — [2nd Allotted Day] — Local Government Financing	Majority	aye	Loyal
Commons	29 Jun 2010	Opposition Day — [2nd Allotted Day] — Local Government Financing	Majority	no	Loyal
Commons	28 Jun 2010	Emergency Budget — Pensions	Majority	aye	Loyal
Commons	28 Jun 2010	Emergency Budget — Value Added Tax	Majority	aye	Loyal
Commons	15 Jun 2010	Business of the House — Backbench Business Committee	Majority	no	Loyal
Commons	15 Jun 2010	Business of the House — Backbench Business Committee	Majority	no	Loyal
Commons	15 Jun 2010	Business of the House -- Programme motion	Majority	aye	Loyal
Commons	8 Jun 2010	Queen's Speech — Programme for Government	Majority	aye	Loyal
Commons	8 Jun 2010	Queen's Speech — Inclusion of Nuclear Deterrent in Strategic Defence Review	Majority	no	Loyal
Commons	8 Jun 2010	Queen's Speech — Programme for Government — Economy	Majority	no	Loyal
Commons	7 Jun 2010	Queen's Speech — Programme for Government	Majority	no	Loyal

And here's what he's had to say for himself

Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Middle East (6 Jul 2010)

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made in the middle east peace process; and if he will make a statement.

Bills Presented — Employment Opportunities Bill: City of Westminster Bill [Lords] (5 Jul 2010)

Mike Freer: First, may I declare an interest as a former leader of a London borough council that had to deal with street trading on a day-to-day basis? My postbag on street trading was far bigger than my postbags on many other areas of council activity. I should like to address a few of the issues raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Philip Davies). I understand the law of supply and demand...

Bills Presented — Employment Opportunities Bill: City of Westminster Bill [Lords] (5 Jul 2010)

Mike Freer: That is quite right. It would be helpful if we could get the Department for Communities and Local Government or whichever is the correct Department to regulate on a national framework. However, in the absence of that, I shall support the city of Westminster in its promotion of the Bill. Those who have to deal with the scourge of street trading know that it is not simply a matter of the...

Bills Presented — Employment Opportunities Bill: City of Westminster Bill [Lords] (5 Jul 2010)

Mike Freer: I accept entirely that this House acts as a check and balance on the powers of local governance, but I also look forward to my hon. Friend tabling a private Member's Bill to legalise or deregulate prostitution and drug dealing on our streets. We cannot pick and choose which freedoms should be traded on our streets. The City of Westminster and other areas need these powers, not to regulate in...

Identity Documents Bill (9 Jun 2010) has video

Mike Freer: May I add my congratulations on your recent election, Mr Deputy Speaker, and thank you for giving me this opportunity to make my maiden speech? It is a great honour to serve Finchley and Golders Green, and I have found the trust placed in me quite humbling as I walk around this building. I should also like to thank the hon. Member for Clwyd South (Susan Elan Jones) for telling the House of...

Brent Cross redevelopment cleared to start

Great news. The Brent Cross/Cricklewood redevelopment has been given the green light by the new secretary of state, Eric Pickles. This will provide tens of thousands of jobs, much needed homes and a great improvement in local transport. A whole new town center will take shape and the facilities for locals will be fantastic. The friends of Mike Freer have long been staunch supporters of this fantastic scheme. It is great to see the new government slashing red tape and allowing decisions to be made at local level. We say "less bureaucracy makes for good business".

Mike leads the way in the fight against anti semitism

Mike Freer MP is pleased to announce that he's been elected as Vice President of the Parliamentary Anti-Semitism group.

Speaking after the appointment Mike said, “Representing a constituency with a substantial Jewish population I’ve seen for myself the terrible effects of antisemitism, which shamefully is a fact of life for many of my constituents.

“We experienced a surge in graffiti and threats last year when the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was dominating the news, showing that antisemitism is always bubbling under the surface and certainly hasn’t gone away. ”

“This committee demonstrates that antisemitism is being fought against at the highest level and I am very pleased to be able to play a part in that.”

The Jewish Chronicle has welcomed the election of Mike to this important role.
http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/32261/finchley-mp-gets-antisemitism-committee-role

The Friends of Mike Freer congratulate Mike on his appointment. It is great to see that his fellow MP's agree with us that Mike is a valued addition to Parliament.

The latest Tweets from Mike

If you want to keep up to date with the very latest tweets from Mike, then join us on twitter

http://twitter.com/mikefreer

Exciting News from The Friends of Mike Freer

Now Mike is getting down to business, we've upgraded the Friends of Mike Freer website to make it even more interesting. If you want to know what is going on in Finchley and Golders Green, this is the place to look !

We've now got live news feeds for all the latest news and also the latest videos from Youtube. Mike has been out and about today, he was visiting a local business having problems with UKBA and now he's doing his weekly advice surgery for his constituents. After years of neglect, Finchley and Golders Green has an MP to be proud of. An MP who will keep you up to date and who will help you when you need it.

That's why we're so proud to call ourselves The Friends of Mike Freer !

If you need to get in touch with Mike see the details below

Feet under the desk

Mike today had his first taste of the pomp of parliament. John Bercow was re-elected speaker and dragged to his chair. Mikes verdict "The ayes sound very different when you are in the chamber". After all the hard work of the campaign, Mike can't wait to roll up his sleeves and get down to some real work as an MP, helping his constituents in Finchley and Golders Green.

If you live in Mike Freers constituency and need his help, here are his contact details :-

Ways to get in touch with Mike Freer MP:

Write to: Mike Freer MP, 212 Ballards Lane, Finchley, N3 2LX
Constituency office telephone: 0208 445 4292
Westminster office telephone: 0207 219 7071
Email: mike.freer.mp @ parliament.uk - (please delete the spaces either side of the @)

Barnets huge debt of gratitude to Mike Freer MP

Now Mike is getting his feet under the desk at Westminster, it is a good time to look at the legacy of the Freer years at Barnet council. Mikes leadership transformed Barnet council. When he took over it was a largely ignored sleepy suburban backwater. When Mike handed it over to Lynne Hillan, it was a dynamic organisation, at the forefront of leading the way of modernising local government. Mike was the architect of the Future Shape program. This innovative program to rebuild the council and make it the most cost effective council in Britain is already reaping rich rewards. The BBC and other news outlets call Barnet first when they want to talk about local government. Huge back office savings have been identified and these allowed Barnet council to budget for a 0% increase.

Do the people of Barnet like it? You bet ! Whilst many Conservative councils sadly lost power in London, Barnets Conservatives gained seats. The proof is in the pudding. Mike had to put up with a vicious campaign by a team of malcontents and bloggers. The friends of Freer believe that much of this was homophobically motivated. The people of Finchley and Golders Green saw this spiteful bile for what it was. It is no surprise to Mike that whilst he romped home in Finchley, the leading detractor stood for the Liberal Democrats in a previously safe seat, was trounced by the Tories and came last out of the Lib Dems.

If you want to make an omlette, you must break a few eggs. Mike has shown he's got the guts to make tough decisions, the skills to implement them and charisma to take the people with him. Unlike his detractors he doesn't cry when people call him nasty names. Mikes council legacy will be seen for generations in Barnet.

I agree with Mike (and his mum) !

Congratulations to Mike Freer on his fantastic victory in Finchley and Golder Green. No one in Barnet politics deserves their success more. His mum has told the press that he's going to be the next Prime Minister. I hope she's right. Finchley is long overdue another Prime Minister in Parliament.

Have a happy 2010 from the friends of Mike Freer

Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010 !

This promise a great year for Finchley and Golders Green. We just cannot wait for Mike Freer to get elected. This great and historic seat has been held for far, far, far too long by Labour.

Mike has dedicated himself to the people of Barnet. The people of Finchley and Golders Green are very lucky to have such a hard working and accomplished candidate.

He will make it a very happy new year for us all ! And a happy new year to you all from Finchley and Golders Greens brightest blog !