The NHS
The final week in Westminster before the summer recess normally sees the usual ministerial question sessions and statements followed by a succession of votes as we ensure all outstanding matters are dealt with before we head back to our constituencies. However, the publication of the Keogh Review understandably meant the NHS dominated proceedings both at Prime Ministers Questions and elsewhere with Jeremy Hunt appearing at the despatch box on three separate occasions.
The NHS turned 65 on July 5th. A lot has changed since its establishment, but the one thing that has remained constant is the hard work and dedication of the medical professionals who work within it. I agree with Jeremy Hunt when he suggests we do a disservice to those medical professionals, the NHS in general and those who it serves when we do not highlight poor practice. The Keogh Review has concluded 14 NHS Trusts have seen things go wrong and it is therefore vital we do not shy away from highlighting where mistakes have been made so urgent action can be taken to prevent them from occurring again.
Some of the debate we have seen on this matter has been quite partisan in nature. The House can be a noisy environment and this is therefore perhaps to be expected, but I do also think we must ensure our focus remains fully on putting right what has gone wrong so that we have a healthcare system that is as good as it can be.
In Westminster
Away from the NHS, perhaps the most significant political development this week occurred on Monday when we debated what role the European Union should have with respect to criminal justice matters. Regular readers of my column will know that I have consistently voted in favour of us holding a referendum on whether we should remain in the European Union. One of my reasons for doing this is because I believe far too many decisions that impact on our lives are taken not domestically by central government or local authorities, but on a European level in Brussels and Strasburg. I want to see UK politicians who are directly accountable to UK voters in control of UK criminal justice policy and I therefore warmly welcome the news that the Home Secretary has decided to exercise so many opt-outs.
We also held a debate on whether MPs should be allowed to hold paid directorships. This is always a difficult issue because each Member of Parliament views the nature of what it means to be an MP differently. For my part, I do not hold any paid directorships. Finally, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was before the House one final time as we considered amendments made to it in the House of Lords. This stage was successfully navigated by supporters of the Bill and it is now an Act of Parliament having received Royal Assent. I voted against this proposal when it was before the House and I remain unconvinced it is the right way forward.
Back Home
On Friday, I spent time visiting one of the projects undertaken in Newton Abbot by volunteers with Community Action South West. The group I visited were doing a great job helping out at Teignbridge Homeless Action Today. Teignbridge Homeless Action Today has been operating the Newton Abbot and Teignbridge Food Bank since September 2011 with most of the donations being made by local councillors and businesses. Each food bag or box of non-perishable food contains enough food for a minimum of three days for one person and they can also provide a toiletry pack. The organisation works with some of the most vulnerable in our community and I wanted to visit them to see for myself the vital work they are undertaking.
I then hosted a meeting with a local business in my Newton Abbot office as part of my role as the Small Business Ambassador for the South West. Part of the role in my view is meeting local businesses so that I can learn from their experiences and feed the information back to Ministers. I believe the Government has done an enormous amount to help our smallest enterprises, but there is more that can and must be done. Our micro enterprises are both the heartbeat of our communities and central to unlocking economic growth and we must be do everything we can to act on their concerns so the full potential of our smallest businesses can be realised.
I also held a busy surgery on Saturday at the Courtenay Centre. Since my election in 2010 I’ve managed to help resolve over 5000 local constituent cases, so holding regular local surgeries in the community is a great way to hear where I can be of help for even more Teignbridge residents.
Surgeries
My next “Face to Face” meeting at the pub is on Friday 26th July from 6.30pm at The Rising Sun in Woodland. I look forward to seeing you there.
My next surgery will be held at 9.30am on Friday 2nd August in Newton Abbot (Courtenay Centre). Please phone 01626 368277 to make an appointment or to discuss an issue that cannot wait until the next surgery.