July news from Freddie van Mierlo MP
Prime Minister Burnham is potentially just weeks away now. The new Member for Makerfield (we’ve all learnt where it is now), looks set to take charge imminently. But while we wait for his first performance in the Chamber, I’m still getting on with my job of representing you. Here's my monthly run down of news:
Campaigns
As Thames Water teeters on the brink of full collapse, at PMQs I asked the (current) Prime Minister to intervene in a case of sewage spilling into a pensioners garden in Wheatley. I then asked the Secretary of State of Environment to share the details of her preparations for taking Thames Water into Special Administration. If Thames Water is about to collapse financially, the Government needs to be ready. It was also great to meet with a local citizen scientist Chris Szweda in Henley about the prospect of our constituency getting the first UK use of a continuous water quality measuring device used in Paris.
I’m running a new mini campaign ahead of the third reading in Parliament of the Government's Voting Reform Bill. It’s a good bill that includes extending votes to 16 and 17 year olds and reforms political donations, but misses an opportunity to improve voting arrangements for voters living overseas, including armed service personnel. I spoke with a minister, who sadly dismissed my idea of a review as unnecessary. I’ve had people from all over the world from Vietnam and Japan to Australia, the USA and Europe reach out to say thank you for sticking up for their cause.
I also took a step forward on 'land lotting'; an issue affecting many of our villages, whereby agricultural and protected land is broken up into small house sized lots and sold with the 'hope value' of development. I raised the issue with the Leader of the Commons, asking for a debate on the issue. Problems that arise from this include making it harder to manage the landscape and identify owners, as well as unauthorised development in protected areas.
In Westminster
Speaking opportunities in the Commons came thick and fast in June. I spoke on issues affecting mums and mums to be - including asking a question to the health secretary on negative experiences with health visitors and a need for training, and shared my thoughts on the shocking revelations of the Donna Ockenden report.
I was proud to be able to mark Men's Health Week by showing my support for better paternity pay in sporting an 'Extra Time for Dads' football jersey (see photo above).
On the topic of health, I gave one of the longest speeches I've been able to make in the Commons on a relatively unknown condition called PANS and PANDAS. Hosted by Liberal Democrat colleague, Wendy Chamberlain, the debate raised awareness of the neuropsychiatric condition, and the struggles families are facing across the country with a lack of recognition. I highlighted the wonderful Albie, who has been writing letters to the King and Prime Minister on behalf of his older brother. On the hottest day yet of the year, Albie and his mum braved the trains - and were heard at the highest levels. Well done them!
Regular readers of this newsletter will also know that Alzheimer's and dementia is close to my heart. I'll never forget a doorstep exchange I had with a lady in tears at the stresses and strains of caring for her husband with the condition. On behalf of my own grandfather who lived with Alzheimer's for many years under the care of my grandmother, I was pleased to host a showcase in Parliament for researchers from across the UK, including Oxford. One day I hope the pain I witnessed on the doorstep that time will be no longer.
Across the constituency
On the theme of nature and climate - I was pleased to attend not one, but two screenings of the National Emergency Briefing in Henley and Watlington respectively. These were not events to make political points at, but I was struck following both of them of an important red thread. That not only must politicians be reminded of their duties to take action on the climate emergency, but voters must also keep on the politicians who are taking action. All too often, where action takes place (think Oxford congestion charge, or the quiet ways initiative) politicians get punished for doing so. It made me think of that famous Juncker line 'we know what we need to do, but we just don't know how to get elected after we do it'. With the Tories rapidly following Reform off a cliff - and now incredibly planning to scrap the Climate Change Act - your support is more important than ever.
Down in Goring, I had one of the most pleasant starts to a day I've ever had, with a tour around Withymead Nature Reserve in the Summer sunshine. This gem of a place is set by the Thames, and a legacy of visionary local Anne Carpmael who left a parcel of land in trust to nature. Entirely volunteer run, the team are making best use of government and local funding opportunities, it is well worth a visit!
It was a delight also to speak with the winners at Henley College of their challenge to design a new logo for Riverside Counselling. The talent on display showed me that AI has a long way to go before it beats human ingenuity. I spoke of the importance of talking therapies and my own experiences of it. Sadly access to these treatments is far too difficult on the NHS, and that's why we must treasure and support Riverside.
A visit to BenShed in Benson showed me again the power of persistence. This space for residents to come together to learn and ply a craft, from woodwork to dressmaking is a testament to the eight years a small group of people spent realising a vision. That's why I laid down a motion in Parliament in honour of their work.
Huge congratulations and thanks go to Greener Henley for putting on such a brilliant Big Green Festival last month - I loved dropping by.
Thanks also to Raghuv Basin Chief Executive of Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust for a useful and informative visit to Stoke Mandeville Hospital and also to Dr Keaton Jones, Senior Clinical Researcher and Surgeon at the Churchill Hospital for his time in Westminster.
And finally, as we mark two years since I was elected MP for Henley and Thame and our 18,000 casework milestone I wanted to reiterate that I'm always here to help the constituents I continue to feel so proud to serve - please don't hesitate to contact me at freddie.vanmierlo.mp@parliament.uk should you ever need to.