Here in the Thames Valley a number of local constituancies are considered key goals to win for whichever party gains power in Westminster next time around. To this end Gordon Brown and David Cameron have both visited Reading recently and the local MP's Theresa May and Rob Wilson are often to be found out on the doorsteps over a weekend.
I understand there to be between 700 and 800 MAG members in the Thames Valley, most are not active but have paid their dues, however most of these will be voters
This significant minority could make the difference to any prospective MP (or Local Councellor) gaining seat or not
“I shall take the figures that the hon. Lady has given me and ask the Transport Minister to look into that very matter. It is important that we have a strong motorcycling industry in this country, and it is important that her question about the specifics of the tests be answered.”
Developments :
From: "Paddy Tyson" <
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>
Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 12:58 PM
Subject: [mag-uk-nc-list] Early Day Motion- Action please to savemotorcycling!!
> Hello everyone
>
> Please ask your MP to sign Early Day Motion 1002 that was tabled by
> Anne Main MP on 3/3/2010. The text of it is given below.
>
> If we can get enough MPs to do it, then government will realise that
> there is real interest in the way that the DSA is doing its level best
> to destroy motorcycling.
>
> This is important for the whole industry, not just those who are
> trying to get their licence. Every shop needs new blood so that it can
> survive and continue to offer a service to those of us who already ride.
>
> Please email, write to or call your MP and ask them to sign it.
> You can find out the details of your MP here
>
> http://www.theyworkforyou.com/
>
> EDM 1002
> MOTORCYCLE TESTING 03.03.2010
> That this House notes that, following the introduction of a new
> motorcycle test on 27 April 2009, Driving Standards Agency figures
> show that 50,000 fewer people took the motorcycle test in the period
> to 31 January 2010 than in the same period in 2008; further notes that
> 45 learners crashed attempting the new test during its first nine
> weeks, resulting in 12 hospitalisations; further notes that the
> majority of crashes occurred during the new swerve and stop exercise,
> which has been combined into one exercise in Module One of the new
> test; further notes that this is not obligatory under the European
> directive which prompted the introduction of the new test; further
> notes that the new test has resulted in a reduction in test centres,
> requiring longer journeys for inexperienced riders to access test
> facilities; is concerned that inaction to tackle this lack of test
> centres and combined swerve and stop exercise could lead to a decline
> in the overall number of motorcyclists and the motorcycle industry as
> a whole; congratulates Motorcycle News and the Motorcycle Action Group
> on their campaign to have these issues addressed; and calls on the
> Government to consider separating the two elements of the swerve and
> stop exercise and to investigate how the availability of test centres could be addressed.
>
> If you need any background on Early Day Motions this section of the
> Parliament website is quite good:
> http://www.parliament.uk/about/how/business/edms.cfm
>
> Thanks for being active. Together we can ensure the activity we love
> doesn't disappear.
> --
> Best Regards,
>
> Paddy Tyson
> Campaigns Co-ordinator
> MAG UK
> Tel: 01788 570065
> Mobile: 07717 345605
