March news from Freddie van Mierlo MP

February included a week long parliamentary recess which gave me plenty of time to focus on work here in the constituency. In Parliament, I’ve also had a busy month speaking on the issue of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as well as local planning concerns, on health issues, SEND and families.

Campaigns

In February, I spoke again on Chalgrove Airfield in Parliament, focussing on the unsuitability of the site for a new town due to the lack of transport links. I voiced my frustration that developers can come back time and time again with planning applications - only needing to succeed once. I’m very disappointed that yet another 160 homes will be tacked onto Chalgrove following the success of Gladman Homes at appeals - a site I had previously successfully defended as a local councillor.

Two petitions were handed in to Number 10 by residents this month. The first, was by Sarah Green of Thame, who had collected over 3600 signatures in support of the Thame-Haddenham Greenway. Following on from this, I met with officers from the County Council to continue to press for progress. 

The second petition delivered to Downing Street last month was in support of Jason’s Law. The family of Jason, who very sadly died by suicide, are campaigning for better bereavement support for families like theirs. It was an honour to accompany them on an important and memorable day.

I also welcomed the approval of an additional £3m in the Lib Dem run County Council’s budget for the Watlington Relief Road. This followed at attempt by the Green Party to scrap the road entirely - a move that betrayed promises made by the Greens at the last local elections. I urged the Green Party’s local leader to withdraw their amendment to the budget and was pleased when he did so.

In Westminster

In Westminster I challenged Health Ministers about the availability of HRT implants. There is an ongoing supply issue with these medicines affecting a small number of constituents. Despite almost a year of questioning now, the Government is yet to secure a supply. If you have been affected, please get in touch as I am now coordinating a wider cross party response. I also managed to get in a question on pharmacies, using insights gathered at a visit a year ago to Benson Community Pharmacy. These visits are invaluable in gathering the knowledge needed to ask good and relevant questions - long beyond the few weeks following the visit.

My role on the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee continues to develop and I was pleased to have been invited to be part of a Public Bill Committee on Cyber Security, laying down amendments to a bill that legislates for companies to improve cyber security. My amendments concerned improving cyber security in the public sector as well as setting up a support service for SMEs. Sadly neither Labour or the Tories backed them.

In Westminster Hall (The Commons ‘second debating chamber’), I challenged ministers on support for young families, the availability of IVF, and SEND provision. I also covered planning rules and transport infrastructure in debates organised by Lib Dems.

In the Committee Room I also attended a meeting on the Government's White Paper on Water that included campaigner Fergal Sharkey, as well those featured in the Channel 4 drama Dirty Business. There’s no doubt this moving and disturbing drama will now galvanise further calls for action - not just the window dressing planned by the government.

Around the constituency

Many of you will have heard about the disturbing news of multiple arrests in Garsington and Littleworth last month following a crackdown on anti-social parking in South Oxfordshire. I'm pleased to have been able to bring the DVLA, Thames Valley Police and local authorities together which resulted in a successful joint action, sending a clear message that behaviour of this kind will no longer be tolerated.

It was a pleasure this month to join local residents and Oxfordshire County Council Digital Infrastucture team in Ewelme to celebrate the close of the Full Fibre rollout by Airband.

I also very much enjoyed joining the regular drop in session for residents run by Watlington Parish Council and their local Lib Dem District and County Councillor Ben Higgins. The session allowed for a fully coordinated response to issues raised whose solutions span local and national government.

Many thanks also to Little Milton School for such a warm and informative welcome - it was incredibly useful hearing more about the running of a small village school.

My thanks go to Thame Town Council who continue to update me their activities, particularly progress towards a new community centre.

It was a delight to round off the month meeting with Binfield Heath Parish Council over a coffee and cake at the Bottle and Glass Inn. A really valuable meeting which allowed me to share my experience of similar issues faced elsewhere in the constituency.

As usual this month I ran my regular online surgeries and spoke with a range of local campaign groups to keep updated and aligned in where I can provide support.  I'm always here to help if needed - you can reach me at freddie.vanmierlo.mp@parliament.uk. 

Finally, I’ve agreed to join the launch of the biennial Festival at Dorchester Abbey raising money for local charity Be Free Young Carers and Dorchester Abbey by abseiling down the Abbey tower on 2nd May. The Festival is a brilliant example of what a small village community can achieve together. You can donate here if you would like to sponsor me:Freddie van Mierlo is fundraising for Dorchester Abbey