May news from Freddie van Mierlo MP

With the drama and speculation surrounding the Prime Minister’s future, it’s been an interesting month in Westminster. While I’ve closely followed developments, I’ve also stayed laser focused on campaign and local priorities.

Campaigns

Following on from last month’s PMQ on water company fines, I laid down legalisation to repeal certain clauses of the Water Industry Act 1991, brought in under Blair in 2003, that allow water companies to negotiate away their fines. I’m urging the government to adopt my bill and incorporate it into the upcoming Kings Speech and expected new Water Bill.

I was delighted also to welcome confirmation from the County Council that plans floated to close Henley Fire Station and remove an engine from Thame Fire Station will not progress. The campaign led by local residents and supported by Councillors and myself showed clearly, eloquently, and with hard data the value of these stations on keeping response times down. I’m now calling for a full time day crew at Henley that will guarantee its future.

I'm also pleased to report that Network Rail have committed to clearing trackside litter on the Regatta Line after I raised concerns with them earlier this month.

In Westminster

Westminster has been ‘febrile’ with activity on the Prime Minister’s appointment of Mandelson, with multiple PMQs, statements and special debates covering the topic. But away from this I found time to raise the work of key local charity the Lowland Rescue, who do incredible work finding vulnerable people across our countryside and waterways.
 

I also visited a local Park Home on the edge of Oxford and spoke in a critical debate, raising the issue of high fees park home owners are subject to when they sell their homes. With average house prices in Henley and Thame in excess of half a million pounds, this affordable option should remain affordable.

I was deeply impressed and inspired by Albie, an award winning young local campaigner raising awareness about PANS PANDAS UK at a roundtable with their Youth Board in Westminster; this condition can develop in any child following a routine infection and speedy diagnosis is crucial to improving care for young people.

As well as tabling a Water Bill, I also retailed an amendment to a Government Bill that will bring in votes for 16 and 17 year olds, as well as reform aspects of how parties are funded. The Government has totally neglected much needed reform for voting arrangements for overseas voters, who all too often receive postal ballots after the election has taken place. I'm also supporting a Lib Dem amendment that would see proportional representation for Westminster elections.

Mindful of our precious local population of curlews in sites such as RSPB Otmoor Reserve, I found time to celebrate World Curlew Day in Westminster. It was brilliant to hear from advocates (including singer/songwriter David Grey) about how we can better support the conservation of curlews in the UK.

I also attended important and informative Westminster events including All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Fatherhood and Babies, and a meeting organised by UNISON and Maternity Action on the rights of pregnant women and new mothers in the workplace, as well as a Shared Rural Network Telecoms surgery where I was able to raise questions about our local area with the Minister and senior officials from Building Digital UK and the Digital Infrastructure Directorate of DSIT.

Across the constituency

It was a busy month for visits across the constituency, with an important stop in Thame at Travelodge HQ, Sleepy Hollow. The company is rightly the centre of public and political outrage at the handling of a sexual abuse case at their Maidenhead hotel where a key card was given to a man who accessed a woman's room. As the MP with Travelodge's HQ in their constituency, I'm holding the company to account, and have demanded deep changes to their business model to put customer and staff safety at the centre of their business.

Elsewhere, it was a pleasure to visit HR Wallingford again and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology for the first time, both tucked away in a corner of Crowmarsh. Both are modestly getting on with world class research, which was a privilege to hear about.

I'd also like to thank Paul Carey who took time out to talk through plans for launching Henley Radio, Goring-Wallingford Cycleway campaigners for their continued efforts to make the cycleway reality, and residents in Wheatley who explained their ongoing battle with Thames Water to repair sewage leaks.

A special thanks for a warm and informative welcome also go to Devante and members or MyVision Oxfordshire, a social group for those living with visual impairment who meet regularly at Henley Library - it was incredibly useful to discuss the everyday challenges and issues affecting visually impaired people.

I have been honoured to be invited to speak at an ‘Evening with Freddie van Mierlo’ at the Thame Players Theatre on 30th September about my life as an MP followed by a Q&A. All proceeds go to The Sharing Life Trust in Thame. You can find out more, and book tickets by clicking on the yellow button below.

P.S Please encourage neighbours, friends and family to sign up for my monthly updates by visiting: www.oxonld.uk/local-party/sign-up