Weekly Round-Up

This week, the first back in Westminster following the Conference recess, has been a difficult one for many in the Parliamentary community and beyond.

The tragic murder of Sir David Amess MP at a constituency surgery was a deep shock to all of us, and has been made more difficult to comprehend because it was not just a senseless act of violence but an attack on the democratic system that is the very fabric of British politics.

David, like so many of my colleagues in Parliament on that Friday afternoon, was out in his local community speaking to constituents and helping them with the problems they faced.

He was simply doing his job.

David was the kindest of faces and firmest of friends to so many, and his loss will be such a difficult one for his Southend constituents, his friends and family, and Parliament.


Environment Bill

This week we saw the return of the Government’s Environment Bill to the Commons for consideration of Lord’s Amendments.

Several constituents have been in touch me with regarding the Bill, voicing their concerns on a range of issues including protecting our woodland, stopping the use of pesticides, and cleaning up our air, all of which I fully support.

Whilst the Government has made concessions and improvements to the Bill, they are still showing an intensely frustrating lack of ambition, continuing to resist addressing important weaknesses, highlighted in the Lords’ amendments which received cross-party support but were defeated by the Government.

Constituents can be assured that I will continue to do all I can in pushing for legislation that protects and preserves our environment for generations to come.


Elsyng House Care Home

I had the pleasure of cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony of Elsyng House care home this week.

Providing people with dignity in later life, and the care that enables this, is vital and Elsyng House will allow our local community to have that dignity in such a great facility.

I am looking forward, alongside key partners and colleagues across Enfield, to supporting our friends at Elsyng House and Oakland Care, and ensuring that residents and staff alike have the best possible experience.