Monday 13 May Week starts in Ireland where I am representing the UK at the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly. This brings together elected members from the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish devolved governments as well as UK and Irish MPs. We spend the morning discussing climate change and the actions both countries are taking, especially work to protect our seas and oceans. In the afternoon we discuss Brexit. It’s clear that there are still huge concerns North and South of the border, but it is also very good to get both sides talking to each other. After dinner there is a long speech from the Irish Foreign Minister. I am concerned by his very rigid position saying the UK must accept the Backstop with no amendments or have no deal and a hard border. Tricky.
Tuesday 14 May 4.30 am ouch! Early flight back to London to be in Westminster in time for questions to the Foreign Office Ministers. As the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Foreign Officer team my job is to make sure all the MPs who are due to ask questions are in the Chamber and to work out what they are likely to ask so that ministers can prepare. It’s always frenetic, but the team answer questions on issues all over the globe. There is a debate on prisons, so I speak about the situation at HMP and YOI Chelmsford and the work that has been done to support the staff and reduce violence. Then another debate, this time on the NHS, which is again an opportunity to raise some of the good work that has been happening in Chelmsford especially at our new Medical School, but also to mention the need to support nurses and reassure staff from EU countries. Late train back to Chelmsford.
Wednesday 15 May Meeting with the Foreign Office team before Prime Minister’s Questions. I have been drawn in the ballot to ask a question. This is only the second time this has happened in the past two years so I want to use it wisely. As it’s Mental Health Awareness week and exam time I decide to focus on mental health support for students. This has been a massive project of the team at Anglia Ruskin Students’ Union in Chelmsford who developed a number of innovative ways to support students. I would like to see a pot of money set aside for bright projects like this in all universities. I ask the PM if she will support this campaign. She agrees to bring the Health and Education Secretaries together to look at it. I am so pleased. If we get some funding this could make a real difference.
I go to a briefing with the Chief Whip and the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff about next steps for Brexit. It is clearly very difficult to find a majority. I urge them to look again at the details of why people are concerned.
Interesting meeting with the Roads Minister regarding the A12 and the plans to upgrade the Boreham to Colchester sections. I raise the need to improve the road around Chelmsford too.
Thursday 16 May The Minister for Work and Pensions is in Chelmsford. We go to the Job Centre Plus to meet the team. I am always impressed by the very positive welcome at the Job Centre. We are told that the jobs market locally is very buoyant with lots of opportunities. They explain that over 3,000 people in Chelmsford are now receiving Universal Credit and every person has been offered an advance payment, so no one needs to wait for a payment. Citizens Advice are also giving independent advice to anyone who has questions about Universal Credit or other benefits. I am really pleased about this as I know people are concerned about the changes to benefits but actually the vast majority of people find that the new system works well for them, so I hope the independent advice will reassure and help. Fascinating conversation with a Chelmsford constituent who is concerned about hedgehog decline, over 500,000 people have signed a petition urging builders to put holes in or under our garden fences and walls, so hedgehogs can roam more easily.
Evening at Anglia Ruskin University taking part in a discussion on climate change and the new Environment Bill. We have an inspiring presentation from the World Wildlife Fund and I explain that the UK is leading the world in cutting greenhouse gas emissions faster than any other leading economy and is the global leader in offshore wind. But there is also much more to do. The UK is bidding to hold the 2020 global conference on climate change which would bring representatives from all over the world to London. This is a really, really important conference and it would be brilliant if we host it in the UK.
Friday 17 May Honoured to be at Baddow Hall Juniors for their school assembly today. Pupils from years 3,4,5 and 6 took part in the Essex Schools Cross Country Races and picked up a mountain of medals, trophies and certificates. It’s lovely to see the pride they all have in the school teams – so impressive.
Busy constituency surgery and then off to meet more Chelmsford pupils. This time it’s the Green Action Group from Bishops’ Primary. They have walked across Chelmsford with banners and posters to raise awareness about the need to protect the environment. I join Cllr Ray Gooding who is responsible for schools at Essex County Council to meet them, listen to their concerns and answer their questions. I’ve prepared a new guide full of suggestions on “Going Green” and I ask the children to take a copy and test out the ideas for me.
Saturday 18 May The Lady Lane News shop is closing as after 29 years of serving the community Mr Patel is retiring. I pop in to say thank you and treat myself to a lottery ticket too!
