Opinions

Earlier today, I replied to constituents who have emailed me about Dominic Cummings. Below I copy what I have sent to them:

Today we begin Step 1 of the Government’s plan for lifting the restrictions it has imposed to fight the spread of Coronavirus. I summarise here what will happen in each of Steps 1-3 to hopefully answer some of your key questions following the Prime Minister’s address to the nation on Sunday. 

Last week we saw something that most of us probably never imagined we’d see – and 1 or 2 of my colleagues probably wish they’d still not seen: proceedings in parliament conducted by video link.

This week, I thought I would provide answers to 10 of the most common questions that I am currently asked regarding issues relating to Coronavirus. I won’t get anywhere close to covering every detail or question as I get around 200 queries every day.

All MPs find themselves in pretty much the same situation at the moment. Meetings and events with people at parliament ceased a couple of weeks ago and we were advised to avoid public engagements. The parliamentary estate became a pretty eerie place last week; MPs were there but all in their indi

I have attended numerous meetings and events with individuals, businesses and charities who are working to combat climate change and protect our environment in the last month, including an event on air quality, one of the areas I am particularly interested in.

Last week in the House of Commons I used 'Business Questions' - when you can ask about anything - to raise the issue of re-opening Grove Station (pictured above).

It is a familiar refrain from some employers: “Young people don’t leave school or college with the skills we need to employ them”. People nod wisely in agreement, and certainly there is truth in this.

In the space of seven days late last month, I had the privilege of meeting two of our most inspiring local charity founders, Courtney Hughes (pictured above) and Andrew Baker.

They will be familiar to some of the readers of the Herald, but likely not all of you.

Although I imagine I will use this article to talk about local or national issues most of the time, I thought it might be interesting for this first one for me to talk about what it’s like when you first become an MP, given Wantage hasn’t had a new MP since 2005.