Weekly Round-Up
I want to start by wishing families across Enfield North, and all those celebrating across the UK, a peaceful and joyful Eid.
It has been a busy return to Parliament. Today, we saw Dominic Raab resign from his post as Deputy Prime Minister due to the bullying allegations and report filed by Adam Tolley. Why this resignation has taken so long is a mystery. The allegations of bullying were well documented prior to his appointment, but Rishi Sunak went ahead and appointed him anyway. Worse, Raab’s resignation statement reinforced just how out-of-touch the Tories are. This saga highlights a serious lack of judgment and leadership from the Prime Minister and only reinforces what Labour has been saying for too long about his indecisiveness. While the country grapples with skyrocketing inflation, food prices, bills and a cost-of-living crisis, the Conservatives are once again making it all about them. The country needs strong leadership during these difficult times, but that can only be achieved by a general election and a Labour government.
The issues around our NHS were laid bare this week. It was released that cancer patients are waiting up to two years for a diagnosis and over a year for the first treatment. Further to this, five million people a month are waiting more than two weeks for a GP appointment. This is not good enough and it is clear patients are being let down by this Government. They have run the NHS into the ground. Only Labour – with its ambitious workforce plan to train 7,500 more doctors and 10,000 more nurses annually - can ensure our healthcare system is fit for purpose.
Enfield Business Awards
Last Friday we had the Enfield Business Awards, brilliantly organised as ever by Loving Social Media / SEO.
It was great to see the amazing local businesses, charities and community leaders celebrated and receive awards for their contribution to Enfield. The impact they have on our community is incredible.
Well done to all the finalists and all those that won an award!
Parliamentary Event for the APPG for Cycling & Walking
On Tuesday, it was great to see the hugely successful parliamentary event for the APPG for Cycling & Walking and the amazing support for making cycling, walking, and wheeling safer. The cross-party nature of this was hugely impressive.
Active travel is key to supporting businesses and families to reduce carbon in the UK and as vice chair of APPG for Cycling & Walking, I am immensely proud to keep pushing for safer and more sustainable travel options for everyone.
Sarcoma UK Drop In
For Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month, Sarcoma UK had a brilliant drop-in event in Parliament to teach parliamentarians and staffers about sarcoma.
In a week where we saw such devastating news about the endless waiting times for cancer treatment and diagnosis, it was brilliant to see such strong support for Sarcoma UK’s agenda.
A Cash Boost for Nature in Enfield
In more local news, Enfield Chase Restoration Project has been given another big cash boost from the Greater London Authority.
This project will create 50 ha of publicly accessible woodland by 2025, adding to and extending the woodland created previously with the support of the Mayor of London.
It will also improve the connectivity in Crews Hill and Gordon Hill Stations, alongside adding wayfinding, improving accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists to the newly restored woodland.
You can read the full announcement here.
