Week 2 – Newton Abbot MP

My second week as an MP started with a huge state event – The State Opening of Parliament and the King’s Speech. 

This starts off the Parliamentary year as the King reads out a statement of intent and the list of new bills that the Government wants to put through.  The House of Commons chamber was packed to capacity and beyond (it sits about 450 people and there are 650 MPs). 

The chief official of the Sovereign and the House of lords – ‘Black Rod’ approaches the Commons chamber – which is slammed in their face showing the independence from the crown. After loudly knocking on the door, it is opened, and the MPS are summoned to the Lords to hear the King read out the expected list of business for the year ahead.

I was lucky to be able to join the procession towards the front, and to be one of the few that got in to see the whole ceremony in the Lords.  It was both strangely historical and of the moment.  I find that the combination of history and ceremony somehow works with the reality of political work in today’s world.  It reminds me that MPs are temporary and representative of our constituents in a long run of history, and that we are fortunate to be able to make a real difference for the better.

After that opening, we have been debating the contents of the Speech, and will continue to do so next week.  Some 40 bills covering increased housebuilding to more devolutions – with potential for local control of the bus services.

I was happy to see more emphasis on developing green energy generation that will both help tackle climate change and bring down energy bills, and acknowledgment that the rivers and seas need to be protected from water companies polluting them.

I was also pleased to see an end to ‘section 21’ no-fault evictions of renters.  The NHS got a mention and a focus on reducing waiting times and an emphasis on mental health was welcome, but no mention at all on tackling the issues on social care was disappointing.

Debate on the speech continues next week.

Back in Devon I heard from the Torbay NHS trust and NHS devon that the Teignmouth Health and Wellbeing Hub was going to be cancelled.

This project was to build a new home for the GPs of Teignmouth and combine it with services currently offered from Teignmouth Hospital.  It has been in planning for a good number of years. However, the projected costs have more than doubled since it was planned prior to the pandemic and the Trust have been unable to make the financing work.  This is a big disappointment as the GPs desperately need a better place to run primary care for some 18,000 people.

If this project isn’t going to go ahead, there is a real need to find another solution for the GPs. I will be working to find a community driven solution that, if possible, will include saving Teignmouth Hospital as well. 

I’m looking forward to week three!