Last week was particularly busy and started with questions to the Home Secretary. I was able to ask the Policing Minister a question on the importance of getting the right Police and Crime Commissioner in the forthcoming elections. I then had a Delegated Legislation Bill on Financial Services and Markets before the main Westminster business of the day which was to decline the Lords Amendments to the Rwanda Bill. It consistently amazes me that Labour complains about us not controlling immigration and then do all they can using their majority in the Lords to prevent us taking the actions proposed! These were voted down and sent back to the Lords, the Lords then sent amendments again on Wednesday which we again voted down. They have sent more to us which will be our start point on Monday. This “ping pong” (asit’s referred to) delays progress but eventually the Lords accept the primacy of the elected members, so I anticipate the Bill finally passing this week.
Tuesday, I had a meeting in the Department of Transport before later going to No 10 for a roundtable discussion on Public Services. I left this promptly as an Urgent Question had been raised in the House as regards the future of Rail Rolling Stock businesses. The Labour focus was on Alstom, built in Derby, but it was imperative to get Hitachi’s voice heard too. It was unfortunately characterised again by too much politics implying simple solutions to things that are complex and difficult. After waiting patiently, I finally raised the penultimate question expressing this concern and the disingenuous approach of opposition parties on such an important issue. It was then back to No 10 for another round table, this time on Security before another Delegated Legislation Bill, this one on Major Sporting Events (Income Tax Exemption) which dealt with tax implications for participants in the Champions League Final to be played at Wembley and I called in to an Assisted Suicide Event. Later we passed the legislation on Tobacco and Vapes.
Wednesday was a particularly important day. As I mentioned last week, I had been able to arrange for representatives from Unite to come to meet the Secretary of State to hear first-hand what he could or could not do. This meeting was said by all to have been valuable and constructive and ended with commitments from all parties to do all within their power to find a way forward for a sustainable future for the Aycliffe facility. The meeting was scheduled for 30 minutes but lasted just over an hour, after which the union team had another meeting whilst I went into Prime Ministers Questions, where again I was selected to ask a question and was able to ask the Prime Minister to thank his Secretary of State for engaging with the unions and to give him all the support he can. I then collected the union team again and we spent time with Transport for the North and met numerous other supportive Conservative MPs. The team then headed back north and I went to meet some constituents who were down for Prime Minister’s Questions and then, as I said earlier, it was the Rwanda votes.
Thursday, I went into a Westminster Hall debate on large solar farms. Thursday was a one-line whip, so the only MPs in Westminster were those with specific interest in the debates happening. The rest would usually take the opportunity to head back to their constituencies. For this debate it was noticeable that all the back bench contributions were Conservative with no Opposition members showing an interest. I spoke about the Brafferton/Bishopton proposals and stressed the need to be aware of multiple applications when a large-scale project is evaluated by the Secretary of State and how imperative it is that we do not cover farmland that should be used for crops or livestock, we must not let a chase for clean energy reduce our resilience in food supply.
Back north for a busy Friday, starting with following up on last week’s meeting with residents of Rushyford to discuss the imminent changes to the roundabout. I was able to have a discussion with the Durham County Council team who will now meet residents to investigate further options. Then it was to Ferryhill to join the meeting of the regeneration team who are developing some great plans to invest in Ferryhill. I was going to update them on the Station but we ran out of time so that is on the next agenda. Back to the office where I met an amazing Veteran, Jason Stringwell, who is about to walk Hadrian’s wall with his partner to raise funds for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. More information and how to donate can be found on his JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/jason-stringwell-1703759851513
After this it was over to Hurworth school to meet the students who had written to me about traffic outside the school, I was joined by local Councillors and we could share some positive imminent changes. Then it was a Teams call with Durham County Council about Special Educational Needs and Disability provision before my day concluded with a meeting at Aycliffe Village Hall. I had been able to arrange for a representative of the Environment Agency to come and inform residents of the actions and progress associated to the smells that have been emitting from the quarry. We will have a follow up meeting soon.
Over the weekend I was able to call at St Albans in Trimdon Grange to meet Rebecca Dowson who is doing some tremendous work on the back of her Pageants to deliver “Prom on Loan” allowing access to some fabulous prom outfits for those that may be challenged to afford them.
Back to Westminster this week where my visitors include the Mayor of Newton Aycliffe Carl Robinson - we can tell you how that went next week. In the meantime, if I can help in anyway, please get in touch by calling Aycliffe 790580 or sending an email to [email protected]
