August news from Freddie van Mierlo MP

Since for some strange reason parliament runs on a school calendar, we have now entered the long Summer recess. Whilst it offers an opportunity to take a break from the humdrum of the parliamentary schedule, my team and I will continue to serve constituents here in Henley and Thame. Please therefore don’t hesitate to get in touch as usual.

Campaigns

In July, the campaign to restore a 1-day a week outreach post office in Horspath stepped up a notch; a residents’ petition, signed by over half the village, was presented at both number 10 and on the floor of the House of Commons. Our campaign was featured by BBC South and BBC Oxfordshire. It seems across the country, the Post Office is silently using the excuse of retiring post masters to close down much needed local services on the pretence of affordability.

I also had the pleasure of attending Thame Environment Forum to discuss further how the community can continue to campaign for the Thame-Haddenham Greenway, and was honoured to be presented with an iconic yellow campaign shirt. My team and I also held a meeting with the Environment Agency to learn of progress on Marsh Lock Bridge - I was pleased to hear that additional staff have been brought into the project and that an engineering firm will soon be appointed to carry out design work.

On the final day of parliament, I used the opportunity of the Sir David Amess debate to again discuss both these campaigns affecting our two largest towns.

 In Westminster 

The ongoing crisis in Gaza continues to be of high concern and rising alarm among all MPs, I have signed cross party letters from Sarah Champion MP and Stella Creasy MP since the start of recess. Whilst I was unable to attend the update provided by David Lammy, my colleague and constituency neighbour Calum Miller - our parliamentary spokesperson on foreign affairs - condemned the actions of the Israeli government, calling the situation inhumane and grotesque. A ceasefire, uninterrupted aid, and recognition of a Palestinian state are all desperately needed. 

I also spoke in a general debate on giving children the best start in life, giving voice to concerns raised with me by constituents on the lack of enforcement power held by the Child Maintenance Service. When a parent refuses to pay what they should to support their children there needs to be firmer consequences.  

Votes were also held on Government attempts to reform welfare. Liberal Democrats opposed the Government's plan to cut, across the board, payments that support people with disabilities. We accept the need for reform, but it needs to be done intelligently and with care to ensure we continue to support those who need it most. A rush job, driven by Treasury needs to meet fiscal rules is not the way to achieve lasting and fair change. 

It was also great to welcome members of OxYGen network to Westminster (a new network of Council employees aged between 18-35, empowering young voice within the Council) - I enjoyed our lively Q&A session after their tour!

Around the constituency 

It continues to be a genuine pleasure of the job to visit local schools, and this month I was welcomed by Owl Class of Aston Rowant Primary School. The Class had prepared a petition based on a project of ‘courageous advocacy’, asking for the rights of children to an education under the UN charter to be upheld in Gaza.

I enjoyed a sunny afternoon at the Henley Royal Regatta last month - many thanks to Richard Phelps, Chair of the Regatta for his kind invitation and many congratulations to the organisers for another splendid event.

Elsewhere, I spoke with representatives of Lidl on their proposed development in Thame, and spoke at the planning committee meeting of South Oxfordshire District Council on the Thames Farm Development in Shiplake. 

I was also lucky enough to enjoy a tour of Chalgrove with the Battlefield Trust in July - thank you for providing me with a fascinating insight into such incredible local history.

Many thanks go to the Shed-quarters in Peppard; a brilliant community initiative recognising the importance of male companionship, and to Braziers Park for welcoming me to their stunning grade II listed home in Ipsden.

And finally, it was a pleasure to end the month catching up with representatives from across Henley and Thame of the Make Votes Matter Campaign.