nickshanagher

Steve Baldwin, a Southport newsagent and member of the NFRN, hosted a visit from local parliamentary candidate Brenda Porter this week and we soon learned the benefits and difficulties of such a visit. The first hurdle is the need to be polite and welcoming. Mrs Porter is a prominent local politician and an acquaintance of Mr Baldwin. We take some photographs (mine not very good as you can see). Taking a leaf from the NFRN's briefing document sent to its members, Mr Baldwin explains the changes to wholesale contracts that mean he has a fixed carriage charge that he must pay. The charge goes up yearly, even if the price of newspapers falls. Mrs Porter had heard this message from other newsagents earlier today and the message is reinforced. "We do get a good service," Mr Baldwin says, "But the costs keep going up and we need MPs to keep an eye on it!" But it is the tobacco display ban where being in store provides a real impetus for Mr Baldwin. Where will the regu...