Vernon shows a reporter from the Evening Post around the Home Office and gives an interview on his new role as Minister of State for Policing, Security and Crime

Article from the Evening Post -

Bulletproof office for Coaker

Thursday, November 20, 2008, 07:30

VERNON Coaker has retained the common touch as his political career has taken off.

He was as affable when he greeted me at the door of the Home Office as he would be if I ran into him on Front Street, in the heart of his Gedling constituency.

The new Minister of State for policing, crime and security is now only one tier down from the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith.

Mr Coaker showed me around his building with the enthusiasm of a man who still seems slightly surprised by his high rank.

"That's Jacqui's office down there," he said, as we stepped out of the lift onto the ministerial floor, and he indicated the Home Secretary's room at the distant end of the corridor.

"These are the offices of other ministers," said Mr Coaker with a wave of the arm. "There's Phil Woolas' office," he said – and for a moment I thought a faint smile might have passed across his face.

The garrulous Mr Woolas could be seen through the glass in animated conversation with an aide.

Mr Woolas, the immigration minister, and equivalent rank to Mr Coaker, was appointed in the latest reshuffle. It was said he would be able to speak out on immigration in a way people could understand.

Unfortunately, his initial efforts were well understood – but not well received – by Jacqui Smith or the department.

In one media appearance he seemed to suggest the Government did not know what it was doing on immigration.

Amid claims that Home Office officials were briefing against him, 'Jacqui' curtailed Mr Woolas' appearances before the media.

It is hard to imagine Mr Coaker mired in similar controversies.

He is solidly on message.

During our interview I asked him if he was at all embarrassed by the fact that he was now responsible for the police service, while the force that serves his own constituents is consistently rated as one of the poorest performers in the country.

"I don't find it embarrassing at all," he said, with the straightest of straight bats. "Notts Police are improving. The public want to see crime falling in Notts [which it is] and they want to see that continuing. With the new chief constable [Julia Hodson] there is the opportunity to move on again. I think she is great."

Mr Coaker said he could not give Notts Police "special favours" but under a national funding formula extra cash has now started to flow from Government.

The Gedling MP's new job carries significantly more responsibility than his previous role as a junior minister.

Then, he took charge of aspects of policing, largely 'topic based', such as knife crime or prostitution.

The step up saw Mr Coaker become responsible for the whole policing service and anti-terrorism.

It is an issue he says many of his constituents ask about – and is, of course, one he cannot talk about in detail.

"It is relevant to all of us," he said. "Whether people live in Gedling or wherever, they all care about the security of their nation.

"I think people know there is a threat but they are grown up about that. They don't think the country should be shut down as a result of that."

On a practical level, Mr Coaker's new responsibilities have also brought a larger office, just a short walk across the corridor from his old one.

He has acquired the ultimate status symbol in the modern workplace: a window.

But security is a preoccupation at the Home Office.

"It's bulletproof," said Mr Coaker admiring the glazing, before turning to his private secretary, Laura. "It is bulletproof, isn't it?" It is quickly established that yes, it is.

Despite the national responsibilities Mr Coaker now has, he is very well aware that he is also the representative for Gedling.

He said: " I am a constituency MP. I still go to the schools, hold surgeries, visit old people's homes. People expect that – and they have every right to expect that."

As a result Mr Coaker is a very busy man, in touch with his Gedling office throughout the week. He returns to Notts from London on a Thursday evenings and devotes Fridays, Saturdays and parts of his Sundays to Gedling, although his private secretary is also in contact seven or eight times a day.

On Friday mornings the three staff in his constituency office have piles of correspondence waiting for him to sign and respond to.

A working week may include four constituency surgeries, a meeting with shop workers in Netherfield, discussions with the East Midlands Regional Assembly and the borough council, an Age Concern fundraiser, launch of 'eco bags' in Netherfield, a Labour Party dinner, and Remembrance Day service.

On Sundays, he deals with the contents of the ministerial 'red box', which contains papers requiring a decision or background reading for future debates. That takes six hours.

"Lots of people work really hard," he said. "I'm busy; lots of people are busy."

He seems to relish both parts of his job, despite the sharp contrast between them.

"It's a privilege," he said. "I'm proud to do it."

charles.walker@nottinghameveningpost 

To see the article: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/award-Erewash-Shopmobility/article-264306-detail/article.html

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Vernon speaks about Knife Crime to the Daily Mirror

To read this article click on this link:

 http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2008/10/31/blunted-115875-20856435/