Monday 23rd September Good day in Chelmsford, starts with a radio interview for the BBC about the Army and Navy, we are working on the long term solution as quickly as possible but it will take time. Then over to Anglia Ruskin to welcome the new chaplain, followed by a busy constituency surgery. I join experts from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau for a detailed meeting about assessments for Personal Independent Payment benefits for those with disabilities. I am pleased that the national lead on this issue has come to Chelmsford to meet us. The assessment process can be very challenging and stressful for those involved, especially when the claimant does not get the response they expected. The appeals process can also be very lengthy. We discussed a number of ways to improve this and the assessors agreed to work with the Citizen’s Advice Bureau closely. I liaise with the Minister and he takes on our recommendations. Good work!
Lovely evening with the Chelmsford sea cadets, full of energy and enthusiasm.
Tuesday 24th September Visit Moulsham High School to talk to their A level politics students. Extremely well-informed as ever. We are in the middle of our discussion when the news comes through that the Supreme Court has decided Parliament should not have been prorogued. I have a quick meeting with members of the Chelmsford Hindu Community who are concerned about safety as there have been some unpleasant incidents elsewhere in the country. There should be no place for religious hatred in our country.
Speak to my whip who tells me we need to be back in Parliament for 11:30 am tomorrow which is challenging as I had agreed to help take my 84 year old stepfather into a care home that day. I cancel my afternoon meetings and head down to Somerset to visit him. When I arrive, I find that he has fallen and is in great pain. Spend the evening with ambulances and doctors. The wonderful paramedics help to make him more comfortable. I stay the night with my elderly parents.
Wednesday 25th September Early morning handover to my sister and head back to London. The mood in the House of Commons is very angry. I ask the Attorney General to clarify the legal position and he confirms that the judgement set a new precedent and that the government will respect the law. I asked the Transport Secretary what support is available for people affected by Thomas Cook whose holidays have not yet started.
The Prime Minister flies back from New York, is shouted and jeered at. He is clear that he will respect the law. Unacceptable language on all sides of the house. Very late night.
Thursday 26th September Back into the House of Commons for another tense day but before it all starts, I join the Ministers from the Department for International Development for a briefing session. Look around the world discussing countries that face troubled times; Hurricanes, Ebola, Wars. The Ministers spoke about the recent meetings at the UN where the UK lead discussions on addressing climate change and improving healthcare across the world.
The Chamber is panicked when MPs discuss the language used last night. It does matter. A recent survey of Parliaments across Europe and 4 out of 10 women MPs have faced threats of death rape or beating. I call for all sides to dial down the rhetoric and I ask the Speaker to make sure that he is being fair and balanced, because sometimes it does not feel that way! This results in another tirade from the Chair.
The opposition parties decide to vote against the House having a recess for our party conference, which is a great shame as conference is a unique time to catch up with charities and many other organisations across the country. I am meant to be joining events on all sorts of different issues from housing to transport infrastructure, health and the environment. We are told that conference will go ahead but if there are vital votes we will be asked to return.
However, I am delighted that the Domestic Abuse Bill will come back to Parliament next week (this is really important for victims) and the fabulous news that Essex Cricket have won the County Championship.
It’s late when I get back to Chelmsford.
Friday 27th September Army and Navy task force meeting. Lots of info. The old flyover is to be dismantled. Expert engineers are to be hired to do this, hopefully starting in November. Essex County Council are looking at a number of ways to alleviate congestion including more buses, cycle lanes, changing traffic lights and more park and ride. We look at the engineer’s preliminary analysis of new long-term solutions and narrow down the list further. Designs include a 2-way flyover, a “through about”, a double T design and an enlarged roundabout. The public will be asked for views on the options once more work is done on these hopefully by November.
Very helpful meeting with the Mid Essex CCG. They are coordinating Brexit planning for all health providers including GPs, care homes and hospitals across Essex and were extremely reassuring. All the health-related concerns my constituents have raised have been considered and plans are in place that address them.
In Beaulieu Park I meet residents who live near the new school and sports fields. They are having a challenging time with traffic and noise in the evenings and at weekends when the sports facilities are being used. We discuss potential solutions with a very helpful expert from the highways team.
Saturday 28th September Lovely morning talking to residents in Marconi ward. Very positive mood. Then over to the cricket ground to see the cups! Essex have won both the Championship and the T20 and is the first team to do the “double”. There is a superb atmosphere with fans young and old. Pop into Galleywood Library to see a super exhibition of art.
