Gillian Merron Surprise Appearance on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two

Much to the surprise of many no doubt Gillian Merron MP (Lincoln) appeared on tonight's BBC 2 'It Takes Two' - the sister show of the BBC's highly acclaimed Strictly Come Dancing.

Gillian Merron appears in prime time on BBC 2's 'It Takes Two' about twenty minutes into the show commenting on the government's Dance4Life inititive.

The Minister of State for Public Health recently launched a nationwide government campaign to get 100,00 more people active through dance.

The Department of Health’s 'Dance Champions' Group, including Arlene Phillips - a former judge on Strictly Come Dancing who left earlier in the year and was replaced, controversially by Alisha Dixson - former Come Dancing presenter Angela Rippon, Capital Radio’s Lisa Snowden and Strictly Come Dancing pro Darren Bennett, joined with Gillian Merron to announce a nationwide tour to get the country dancing in the run up to the 2012 Olympic Games.

The City MP spoke of her experience in joining Lincoln's Park Street Age Concern's 'line dancing' class, to illustrate how dance can bring people together and improve fitness and flexibility for all ages.

Gillian Merron said:

"Our Dance Champions are some of the best known and leading talents of the dance world, but you don’t have to be a professional to enjoy dancing and feel the positive effect it can have on your health.

"People of all ages and abilities can get active to music and have a lot of fun too.

"Park Street Age Concern's 'line dancing' class is a perfect example of how everyone of every ability can get involved, and I was pleased to launch today's campaign using this lesson from Lincoln.

"The Chief Medical Officer recommends that adults do 30 minutes of physical activity at least five times a week, but over 27 million of us don’t manage it. With the leadership of the dance champions, we want to capture the national enthusiasm for dance and get at least 100,000 more adults active through dance in the run up to the 2012 Olympics.

"The Dance Champions will help to make Dance4Life 'come to life' for thousands of people across the country"

Certainly she has stolen a march on Conservative parliamentary hopeful, Karl McCartney in terms of publicity by bagging a few moments in the prime time evening slot show. Karl had previously managed to generate a full front page of the Lincolnshire Echo earlier in the year when he appeared with shadow Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt outlining potential plans for the Lincoln Racecourse on Carholme Road - an achievement that not even Ms. Merron has managed in her twelve year career. Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Reg Shore has also been getting some publicity for his campaign against Bernard Theobald's leadership of West Lindsey District Council and investigations into possible fraud and mismanagement in the planning department.

On St. Patrick's Day Why not try to Save the Great British Pub?

With nearly 6 pubs closing every day of the week, and local pubs under threat, we believe that the Government should be doing more to save the Great British pub.

33% of the price of every pint goes in Beer Tax to the Chancellor. Now the Government plans to increase beer tax further.

We are calling on the Government to help save our pubs and safeguard jobs by: Cutting taxes on lower alcohol drinks such as low alcohol beers and raising taxes on problem drinks like high strength ciders and alcopops in order to use the tax system to target binge drinking whilst ensuring that responsible drinkers and the traditional British pub are not unfairly penalised. Enforcing existing laws to deal firmly with irresponsible drinkers & premises. Trusting adults to make informed choices, not punish them for the actions of an irresponsible minority. Supporting the British pub as a vital part of local communities.

Sign our petition to show your support.

Jeremy Hunt, Shadow Culture Secretary:

"We all have our favourite local pub but up and down the country people have been losing theirs. Not only are they a critical part of our heritage but they are often hubs for local communities helping social groups, sports clubs and often even the village shop."

"For too long the Government has tried to tackle binge drinking by punishing responsible drinkers and landlords. With massive tax hikes and heavy-handed regulation, all Labour will succeed in doing is closing down more pubs. This has to stop. We should be proud of our brewers and proud of our pub industry and do what we can to support them - which is why we are launching this campaign."

Giles McNeill said:

"The future of British pubs are under threat and we must do all we can to save ensure their survival. Pubs are often small, family-run businesses - they are the social heart of our communities, they provide jobs and support the British brewing industry. Now, in the face of great adversity, we must do all we can to save our local pub so I urge people to go to the pub and celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Pint of Guinness? Bailey's anyone?"


Giles McNeill and Jeremy Hunt MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport

Next generation broadband could create next generation business

Jeremy Hunt MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, has promised a Conservative Government will focus on ensuring the majority of the population have access to the next generation of high speed broadband networks within 5 years.

The Shadow Culture Secretary argued that next generation broadband offers a great commercial opportunity to the UK, because of the strength of our creative industries. He announced that the Conservative Party would be launching a wide-ranging review of the UK’s creative and creative knowledge industries this Spring in order to inform our thinking:

"There is no question about our talent for creating digital content, content that can be traded and exchanged in Bill Gates’ global village square. The question is whether we seize the opportunity presented by that talent to build the next generation of global businesses based on the new technology platforms that are emerging."

Giles meets with Jeremy Hunt in Lincoln, discussing various points including the knowledge economy.

Jeremy stressed that the key issue in the provision of next generation broadband is creating a framework which allows private sector investors to get the returns necessary to make the huge investment required.

"This means creating a regulatory environment that stimulates investment both by large incumbent players like BT, or where they are slow or unwilling to do so, by more nimble newcomers. To do this we should oversee wholesale deregulation of the current broadband infrastructure."

Giles McNeill said:

"This is exactly the right sort of proposal for an economy in recession, it not only makes sense for companies & business but for local people and communities."