You may have seen it reported last week that I have put my hat in the ring to be the Conservative candidate to be the North East Mayor. I explained about the North East Mayor in Newton News on 13th October 2023 but, if you missed it, this is a new role effective May 2024 that will lead on, amongst other things, investment and transport for the region from Durham to Northumberland. The role of the Mayor does not conflict with that of an MP, indeed you could almost say it is like being a Secretary of State for the North East. I believe it is important that whoever takes the role gives full consideration to the needs of all the North East and the current candidates are very Newcastle centric, so I want to offer an alternative, but this does not impact at all in my being your MP now or in the future. I am fully committed to the Sedgefield constituency, including Newton Aycliffe, the biggest town within it, and I am keen to represent people for as long as people are prepared to vote for me.
As expected, last week was our last time in Parliament before it was prorogued' — which is the term for the suspension of Parliament at the end of a session. We will return to Westminster on 7th November to hear the King's Speech. I was lucky enough to sit in the House of Lords listening to the last Queen's speech which was delivered by the - then - Prince Charles on behalf of his mother. There is a draw that MPs can put their names into, to go and watch the speech from the Lords' Galleries instead of coming through with all MPs from the Commons when commanded by Black Rod. Amazingly, I have been lucky again for the King's speech next week, so, again, will be sat in the Lords.
Last week, on Monday 23rd November, we did the Renters Reform Bill and I had a meeting with Helen Whately MP, Helen is the Minister for Social Care and we raised with her the concerns that had been raised by constituents about how the challenges of getting home adaptations is stopping people leaving hospital. I also went to a Veterans' reception and met a business delivering offshore wind.
Tuesday started with a reception by the Environment Agency which was very interesting. We discussed issues regarding water quality which is an issue of concern currently. I met with Heathrow Airport and talked about duty free before heading to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Leamside Line where we discussed efforts to reopen the Line.
Later, I went to No 10 for a reception with Apprentices. I had the pleasure of hosting Marcia and Katie from BTS Fabrications to the event where Gillian Keegan MP (Secretary of State for Education) spoke about the importance of Apprenticeships. I also had a bizarre experience in meeting Jordan who was an apprentice with lan Levy MP for Blyth, it turns out Jordan's family had lived in exactly the same house I did in Ferryhill. After this finished, I met two more constituents, Martha and Katie, who I took for a look around the Palace of Westminster.
Wednesday started with a breakfast meeting with the NFU (National Farmers Union) to listen to what is important for our farmers, followed by a morning in the Transport Select Committee where we listened to disabled users and advocates about the needs for more accessible transport. Then, as usual on a Wednesday, it was PMQs before going to the report launch for my APPG on Left Behind Neighbourhoods. We had held an enquiry on how the Levelling Up White Paper aligned with the needs and aspirations of those living in Left Behind Neighbourhoods.
After this, I spoke briefly in a debate on the future of Horse Racing before going to the Northern Research Group meeting where Mark Harper, Secretary of State for Transport, came to speak with us. Then I met with Young Lives v Cancer charity which had been promoted to me by a constituent. Thursday, I started with a meeting between Polyphotonix from NETPark in Sedgefield and a Health Minister, after which I spent the day on the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS) before travelling
Back in the constituency, I went to Wellfield School in Wingate to meet some students before going to Sedgefield for a follow up surgery with parents of children affected by CAHMS and the support needed. On Saturday, it was a delight to call at Middleton St George Community Centre to see their newly refurbished car park. Next week will see me around and about in the constituency so, if you want to catch up - please give me a call on Aycliffe 01325 790580 or email me
