July news from Freddie van Mierlo MP

July marks a year since the 2024 General Election. It’s a time to reflect of the achievements of the last year, and take stock of what more needs to be done, and how I can work more effectively for you.

I’m pleased with progress made on some key issues, including the Marsh Lock Bridge and Thame-Haddenham Cycleway, but share everyone’s frustration at the speed of that progress. 

I’m proud also of the team I have assembled, and especially the work we do on behalf of individual cases. It will remain my core focus over the next 4 years (or however long I have until the next election!)

June saw a dangerous escalation of violence in the Middle East, and I welcome any steps towards peace. I’m concerned that the eyes of the world have moved away from Gaza and was pleased therefore to raise the issue in the House, particularly focused on the need to get aid into Gaza to help mothers and babies. 

Campaigns 

I stepped up the campaign for improved ADHD services in Oxfordshire, holding a debate in Parliament. The full comments of the Minister are available on Hansard on the button below, but here in Oxfordshire I’ve been informed by local NHS bosses that a new service for 18-25 year olds will open around December 2025/January 2026.

Staying with health, I also attended a debate on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy with the aim of getting a new medicine called Givinostat in the hands of Oxfordshire patients as soon as possible. I’m working closely with Oxford University Hospitals, Duchenne UK, constituents, and the manufacturer of the medicine to make this happen. 

Elsewhere, I continue to hold Thames Water to account over their disastrous finances. The government insisted to me that Thames Water is a ‘stable’ company. I urged the government to be ready for when it collapses. I also hosted a meeting with other MPs, the Chiltern Society, and Chiltern National Landscape to discuss further protection for chalk streams 

I welcomed the release of an official report on the flooding in Wheatley last Autumn, and was pleased to hear that action has started in response to it, though I will continue to call for additional urgent action to mitigate future flooding.

 In Westminster 

I know constituents will have paid even closer attention to how MPs voted this month on two big votes - the decriminalisation of abortion, and the Terminally Ill (adults) Bill (also known as assisted dying). In both instances I voted in favour, and with the majority of MPs. I don’t underestimate the importance of these changes and there was certainly a sense in Parliament and in the lobbies that these two votes could be the most consequential of the 5 years. I’m grateful to the many residents who have been in touch with me about these issues, on both sides. While with issues of conscience it will never be possible for me to please both sides, I’m struck by the positive and informed debate that took place. 

Elsewhere, votes also took place on the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill , as well as the Police and Crime Bill. I spoke in both debates, pushing my amendment on the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders for Active Travel (NC22) to a vote (which failed to gain the support of Labour) and speaking to Amendment 9 of the Police and Crime Bill on rules on name changes by registered sex offenders. I’m grateful to local safeguarding advocate Emma Jane Taylor of Project 90-10 and campaigner Della Wright for their engagement with me on that issue. 

I was proud to speak at the Dad Strike organised by Dad Shift outside the Department for Business and Trade - I called for an end to the UK's woefully inadequate paternity leave and was delighted to hear later in the month that it will be reviewed by ministers.

Finally, I was honoured to host a debate on Humanist weddings, urging the government to make them legal as they are already in Scotland. The debate was particularly special for me as I wore the same tie from my own humanist wedding in Scotland for the debate

Around the constituency 

It was incredible to visit the first ever Thame Pride and see the town resplendent in rainbow colours. The speech by Mayor Andy Gilbert was particularly moving, he spoke about celebrating diversity of the town and what a warm and welcoming place Thame is. Time for Henley to step up its game next year?

I was also pleased to attend the Mencap choir by the Town Hall in Henley, and I apologize profusely to those exposed to my tuneless singing! I’ve continued my tour of local schools and am grateful to Rupert House School for hosting me, as well as John Hampden School for visiting me in Parliament

This month, I visited the Dementia Research Institute at University College London and toured their DRI Biomarker Factory - which emphasised the vital importance of investing in ground-breaking dementia science

Thanks to Henley HGV Watch, who met with me to discuss the need to enforce robust weight limits within Henley - I have written to the cabinet member responsible to state this. 

I also enjoyed a brilliant afternoon at the Henley Open Farm Sunday, courtesy of Nettlebed Farming Club and  informative visits to Views Farm, Concho y Toro in Wheatley, the Lighthouse Nursery near Wallingford and the Brandon Trust - a charity providing life enhancing and enabling support for autistic children, young people and adults and people with a learning disability in the constituency.

Thanks also to the Henley Society for their successful campaign to reinstate the Speaker Lenthall's Blue Plaque in Hart Street, Henley, and their work arranging for the current Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle to unveil it this month.

It was brilliant to welcome Ed Davey to Thame in early June, and gain his backing for the Thame Haddenham Greenway campaign - many thanks to Thame Cycles, Mayor Andy Gilbert and The Sharing Life Trust for their valuable time during his visit.

And finally, I wanted to thank you for your support, encouragement and engagement over my first year in Parliament - I hope I have justified your trust in me, it continues to be a true honour to represent Henley and Thame. 

It's been an eventful first year, but it also feels like just the beginning; my team and I will continue to listen, serve and act because real change comes from staying grounded and working hard for everyone I represent.