What a difference a date makes!

Last weekend I had the privilege of going to my first NPF conference. Now to some that might not sound so exciting but for the likes of me, it was heaven.

Like many of you I joined the Labour Party to make the world a better place. I discovered that instead of shouting at the TV, I could actually go out there and DO SOMETHING. The process of gathering information from people in the party and far beyond is what makes our Party a truly democratic one as far as policy is concerned.

For the last few months my colleagues and I have been encouraging people to take part in Your Britain as well as running events to get views of residents and organisations.  Last weekend saw that process start to bring together your ideas. We are not there to put our own views forward but to represent you.

That said, it has never been known that I don’t have a few ideas myself. To cater for those of us who like to put our twopennyworth in, the NPF organised a ‘speed dating’ session. We each had 2 minutes to pitch our ideas to members of the shadow cabinet and colleagues and a winner was to be declared.

I was that winner!! My idea (scurrilously stolen from Gulliver’s travels) was a citizen’s Honor. Similar to those handed out by the Queen but decided at a local level. It is designed to recognise and reward those who make our communities work. The carers, school readers, football coaches, school run parents, who make a huge difference and are the cement of our communities.

To properly reward their efforts they would receive letters after their name (Ctz I suggested) to show others who they are in a similar way to an OBE or MBE. I know a number of young carers who have not been able to complete their studies because of their family input and and this could be a wonderful way of helping them in their careers later on.

I also suggested a reduction in council tax to draw a clear parallel between their efforts and the amount they save the tax payer. There were some good alterations later in the bar (it’s not all hard work you know) and people suggested discounts to local shops and free college courses. I suspect every area could come up with small changes to make it their own. My idea is a work in progress.

As delighted as I was to win the speed dating (and to find out that I didn’t actually have to have to go out with anyone on the shadow cabinet) I know that my idea isn’t the best out there. If you have better ones why not be part of the solution and go to the Your Britain website or contact your local NPF rep. Come on….change the world, one idea at a time, because, the clue is in the name, it’s YOUR BRITAIN.

Lara Norris is an Eastern Region NPF rep and proud PPC for Great Yarmouth.