September news from Freddie van Mierlo MP

In August, I took a short - and much needed - break from politics with a family holiday to Austria, and returned with a verve to get stuck back in. My Summer Tour was a chance to get out to parts of the constituency I hadn't managed to visit during the year. I'm back in Westminster now and grabbing opportunities to pin down the new Government on converting Burnham’s vibes into concrete wins.

In Westminster

Westminster took a break over the summer, but I busily wrote letters to ensure ministers had a full post bag to come back to. I penned a letter to stick up for parents with young children at UK borders who need to wait the longest of anyone to pass checks. I also wrote again to the Government (but this time the new Secretary of State Angela Eagle) on Marsh Lock Bridge. This is the third Defra secretary I’m on in 2 years - Labour seem to be keeping up the Tory tradition of not allowing anyone to settle in their job for long.

Summer Tour

My Summer Tour (see video!) took me to all corners of the constituency, focussing on villages that I don’t normally get to in the year (I’m never short on reasons to go to Henley, Thame, Chinnor etc).

Freddie in Checkendon with County and District Councillor Ben Higgins, and Leader of Oxfordshire County Council Tim Bearder

I’m grateful to everyone who came and saw me in Stanton St John, Forest Hill, Warborough, Little Milton, Stoke Row, Checkendon, Kingston Blount, Sydenham, South Stoke and Whitchurch-on-Thames. We got through nearly sixty appointments and also had useful meetings with parish, district and county councillors.

Freddie in Little Milton with local Councillors Georgina Heritage and Judith Edwards

I’m keen to continue listening and engaging - solving local issues where I can, and weighing in on national and international concerns on your behalf. I’m already planning where to go next year!

Freddie in Kingston Blount with County Councillor Georgina Heritage

Campaigns

Some key campaigns took positive steps forward over the Summer too. I attended a meeting about HGVs in Henley, attended by the very top of the County Council hierarchy - the Chief Executive Martin Reeves and Leader Cllr Tim Bearder. The Council outlined its plan going forwards, including for public engagement in Henley once the feasibly studies are completed. There are far too many HGVs barrelling through the town and I’m hopeful that the work being done now will bring them down.

I also attended a summit in Watlington with the Parish Council and more top brass from the County Council, ensuring the Watlington Relief Road stays on track.

Following the excellent news of a banking hub coming to Henley, I met with Thame Town Council to discuss getting one secured for Thame. I have submitted a joint request from myself and the Town Council to LINK (the responsible body) to assess the town again.

Round the (rest) of the constituency

I was honoured to be invited to present prizes at a charity football match in Henley - huge congratulations to all who took part and raised an impressive £500 for charities Legend on the Bench and Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

I had a busy but brilliant day in Thame this month, starting with Friendship Centre and Memories Cafe both a run by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who have created an invaluable support and friendship network for older members of the community, with the latter providing an environment ideal for those with dementia and their carers.

I was later put through my paces when I met with founders and members of the Thame Shed, it was inspiring to see creativity and community coming together in one place - skill sharing and social interaction producing an incredible range and quality of both projects and relationships.

After a stop off at Chinnor Rugby Club to hear about plans for an exciting season ahead with a new Director (and former England Captain) Nick Easter, a new kit and and lots of new ideas. I ended my day in Thame exploring the buzzing Tuesday Charter Market - this weekly market hosts a superb range of stalls and is definitely worth a visit!

Freddie visiting the Tuesday Charter Market in Thame

And finally, with September now upon us, my 'Evening with Freddie van Mierlo' event at the Thame Players Theatre on 30th September is getting close! I'll be talking about my life as an MP followed by a Q&A. All proceeds go to the The Sharing Life Trust in Thame. Please book tickets by visiting: An Evening with Freddie van Mierlo - Thame Players