One essential task of any MP (and a task I enjoy) is to get the ear of Government Ministers regarding things that are important to constituents and the area Members represent. This is why I invited John Glen MP, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism, to visit West Cornwall last week. During his time John visited the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Gallery and Newlyn School of Art. People will be familiar with the Tate and the fantastic Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. People are less aware of the work that goes on at the Newlyn School of Art. Newlyn School of Art was opened in the former primary school at the top of Old Paul Hill in 2011 by Henry Garfit, who today secures the expertise and talent of acclaimed artists such as Paul Lewin, Tim Shaw, Neil Pinkett, Jessica Cooper and Maggie O’Brien and many more to run courses in painting,
Newlyn School of Art was opened in the former primary school at the top of Old Paul Hill in 2011 by Henry Garfit, who today secures the expertise and talent of acclaimed artists such as Paul Lewin, Tim Shaw, Neil Pinkett, Jessica Cooper and Maggie O’Brien and many more to run courses in painting, drawing and sculpture for emerging artists. Art and culture play an important role in our local economy and I believe that, during his visit, John Glenn was able to understand more about how significant this is and gain valuable insight into the obstacles and opportunities facing artists today. Personally, I appreciated the time Henry and his artists gave to explain the skills the modern artist need to succeed – in improving their abilities as an artist, and on the commercial side, developing vital connections and managing their digital profiles, websites and social media.
On Monday the Government set out its intention to secure (with EU Member States) the freest and most friction-less trade possible in goods and services, to the benefit of all. There is good reason to believe we can achieve this. In 2016 other EU Member States, taken as a whole, exported more goods to the UK than any third country. EU statistics indicate that EU goods exports to the UK amounted to €314 billion in 2016; more than EU goods exports to Brazil, Russia, India and China combined. Economic sense suggests that EU Members need a good, workable trade deal just as much as we do.