April news from Freddie van Mierlo MP

It finally happened! I had a proper PMQ! This month, I was called by the Speaker to ask the PM a question. I of course chose to challenge PM Keir Starmer to go further on tackling the sewage crisis, by banning water companies from negotiating away their fines from Ofwat. His answer gave me something to hook into and am following it up with a letter with further details of my proposals.

My thoughts this week are with our Christians observing Holy Week in the constituency, the most sacred period of the Christian year as the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is remembered and the resurrection celebrated.

Campaigns

In March, I kept up the pressure with Oxfordshire County Council across all fronts including on the Watlington Relief Road, Thame-Haddenham Greenway, and HGVs in Henley. All three continue to make progress but at times too slow a speed. Whilst local government doesn't (and often cannot) move quickly due to legal requirements for consultations and various studies, I'm urging not to let process get in the way of progress.

I also met with local campaigners on water quality, David Wallace and Laura Reineke, as well as Johnny Hobbs (of Hobbs of Henley). It was pleasing to hear that the actions requested by Hobbs and boating industry representatives at a roundtable meeting I hosted last year in Parliament has led to concrete action by the Environment Agency, including the removal of abandoned boats, the development of a management strategy, and a future for the Sunbury Dry Docks. These will significantly improve the viability and vitality of our riverside economy. The Environment Agency has rightly come under some criticism but I'm grateful for their cooperation and engagement with me on this issue.

I was joined by Lib Dem MPs Charlie Maynard (Witney) and Calum Miller (Bicester and Woodstock) as we supported local parish councils saying NO to a Greater Oxford Council. We fear the government is now positioned to approve a massive land grab by Oxford City Council into the Greenbelt with the sole purpose of delivering runaway housing growth and massive expansion of the City. I support parishes like Beckley, Wheatley, Stanton-St-John and Elsfield in saying, 'No Thanks!'

In Westminster

As above, the highlight of my month was a PMQ. PMQs are allocated by random ballot, and unfortunately I'm yet to be lucky in the ballot. MPs can still 'bob' (stand up and down) during PMQs hoping to be called by the Speaker and this month it finally happened. I wasted no time demanding further action on water quality, and Thames Water's appalling record. The clip of me asking the question shows empty benches in front of me as only moments earlier, Reform UK MPs had childishly stormed out. Shame they were not there to hear the PM's response to such an important issue to the whole country.

On the Select Committee for Science, Innovation, and Technology I grilled executives from Meta (Facebook and Instagram), TikTok, X/Twitter, and Google (Youtube), highlighting to TikTok that instructional videos can be found on their platform on how to use Grok AI to 'nudify' women and girls. During the hearing, X told the committee it is no longer possible for Grok AI to do this, only for it to be reported later in the Times that loopholes still exist. It's time these companies are prevented from cashing in on such disgusting practices.

On the Upper Committee Room floor, I joined other MPs in a meeting to discuss a response to the news of the sexual assault of a woman at a Travelodge in her own room, after a key card was issued to a man not known to her. The CEO did not show up, as Travelodge is headquartered in Thame, I will be taking this issue to them.

Finally, I also asked a string of questions to Ministers, including on measures to support overseas voters, and questions to the Treasury on the impact of the 100K tax trap on families, and of AI on youth unemployment.

Around the constituency

Schools continue to feature heavily in my constituency calendar. It was a total pleasure to be grilled by Year 6 at Valley Road Primary School in Henley on topics such as cyber security, river water quality and potholes. I was hugely impressed by the research they had done into Parliament. 

I also thoroughly enjoyed visiting RAF Benson School, whilst it was concerning to hear about the challenges facing the school with pupil numbers temporarily declining following the scrapping of Puma helicopters, it was also brilliant to hear pupils talk about what made their school amazing

and the great work the school do to support pupils when they have a parent deployed away from home with the military - as part of this I met a well travelled squirrel called George (who is part of the routine to maintain links between the school and parents who are deployed).

Thanks also go to Langtree High School in Woodcote for their warm welcome and for taking the time to raise concerns the need for urgent repairs to some buildings on site. It was also brilliant to catch up with Shiplake College and The Henley College in Westminster.

It was a privilege to meet with organisers at the Berin Centre in Berinsfield this month. The charity is doing such incredible work for the community and I was taken aback by the scale and ambition of their work, providing support for children and families with education and reading, as well as adults on a wide range of issues - an amazing resource for locals.

My thanks also go to campaigners for a Sonning Common-Emmer Green Greenway group, Thame Town Council, Haseley Brook Action Group, campaigners on HGVs in Henley and local farmers for constructive meetings, as well as Chiltern Railways for their promising commitment to reopen the upper deck of Haddenham and Thame Parkway car park.

I also loved getting out and about in Shiplake last weekend - a huge thank you to residents for taking the time to chat and raise local as well as national concerns - much appreciated.

I was super proud to be able to celebrate English Tourism Week last month by showing off Waterperry Gardens, one of our constituency's many unique and special gems - thanks to the Waterperry team and Experience Oxfordshire for their informative welcome.

And finally, I wanted to post a reminder to please sponsor me before I brave abseiling the heights of the Abbey Tower on 2nd May to celebrate the launch of the biennial Festival at Dorchester Abbey. I'm raising money for two incredibly worthy causes; local charity Be Free Young Carers and Dorchester Abbey. Please click on the button below if you would like to sponsor me: