CABINET OFFICE QUESTIONS
During Cabinet Office questions on Thursday, I asked the minister about the future of UK-EU relations and the possibility of extending a youth mobility scheme.
We want to forge a new partnership with our European neighbours, built on cooperation, not confrontation and move to a new comprehensive agreement. I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues wish to work towards rebuilding a healthy relationship with our European neighbours by restoring closer ties - starting with bringing back opportunities for British people in Europe.
In the wake of the Hereditary Peers Bill last week, I followed up with the minister asking him to set out a timeline for broader reform of the House of Lords, specifically if the government would strengthen the appointments Committee to protect against cronyism and improve public trust and confidence in politics.
INFECTED BLOOD DEBATE
On Wednesday I spoke in a debate on the Infested Blood Scandal. This motion passed with limited controversy and I am pleased that we could work together to make sure this injustice is rectified as quickly as possible.
For my part, I expressed my concerns that, while this motion is a good step forward, it is essential that the compensation scheme is delivered in a compassionate and effective way, with the affected communities consulted at every stage. During the speech, I also highlighted that the burden of the administrative concerns and queries from affected families is currently falling on overstretched charities. While they have done an excellent job looking after impacted people so far, their resources are not endless, and so I urged the Minister to make more support available to charities so they can continue their work.
WHISTLEBLOWERS
On Monday, I attended the launch event for Whistleblowing Awareness Week in Parliament. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet industry experts and whistleblowers, as well as the team behind the Whistleblowing Bill and the work they do to reform the way that whistleblowers are treated.
The Liberal Democrats are proud to have committed to an independent statutory whistleblower protection authority in our 2024 manifesto, and we will continue to advocate for the rights of whistleblowers and the important work that they do.
WORK EXPERIENCE WEEK
I was delighted to host 6 A-Level pupils from schools across the constituency this week as part of my yearly work experience programme. On Monday and Tuesday, the students attended Parliament and had the opportunity to witness lively debates and see parliament working first hand. On Wednesday, the pupils were hosted in my constituency office in Mortlake, and one of their tasks was to write a summary of their experiences of what it is like to be a part of an MP’s Office which I have compiled below.
‘Over the past three days, six of us have had the incredible opportunity to gain work experience with Sarah, both at Parliament and in her constituency office in Mortlake. It has been particularly fascinating to observe the contrast between these two environments, comparing the responsibilities of local politics with those focused on government policy.
We not only learned how to write press releases and briefings, covering topics such as upcoming motions in Parliament, constituent concerns, and international affairs discussed during FCDO Oral Questions, but we also gained insight into the importance of effective communication in Parliamentary work.
In addition, we gained a deeper understanding of the diverse skills and responsibilities her staff must possess - not only in campaigning and communication strategy, but also in the extensive efforts Sarah and her team dedicate to directly supporting their constituents, ensuring their well-being and addressing their concerns.
We have all thoroughly enjoyed this experience. The hard work that gets put into everything brought up within Sarah’s office has been amazing to see. We have learned so much in the last few days about politics and the work that goes into the roles within the political world. It has truly been a fantastic experience that will benefit all of us, no matter what career we may look towards in the future.’
I would like to thank Emily, Orlando, Eleni, Harry, Claudia and Pipsy for being excellent work experience students and for bringing energy and enthusiasm to all the different tasks they performed during the week.
HAMMERSMITH BRIDGE: MEETING WITH THE MINISTER FOR LOCAL TRANSPORT
On Monday, I met with Simon Lightwood, the new Minister for Local Transport, to discuss Hammersmith Bridge before the wider meeting of the Taskforce that is set to take place this Autumn. I was joined by Fleur Anderson MP, Andy Slaughter MP, and Ben Coleman MP, along with a number of officials from the Department for Transport.
While each of our communities have been impacted in different ways, it was reassuring to hear that everyone present understood that the current situation cannot be allowed to continue. It was also refreshing to see Government ministers engaging constructively on this issue, when their predecessors seemed intent on frustrating progress to score political points.
Both Andy Slaughter and Ben Coleman were keen to highlight that Hammersmith and Fulham cannot afford to repair the bridge on their own and Fleur Anderson emphasised the number of vehicles pushed onto Putney Bridge because of the closure.
For my part, I spoke about the need for certainty over the bridge's future and the importance of clear lines of communication so that residents are kept up to date. In the wake of the meeting, I followed up with Simon Lightwood to highlight the importance of transparency and requested his help securing regular updates from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
AIRSPACE MODERNISATION
Earlier this week, the Department for Transport announced that they would be consulting on the creation of a new Airspace Design Service that would help shape the way that new flight paths are designed in London over the coming few years.
While a central, coordinating force that can ensure Heathrow does not ride roughshod over our communities seems to be a good step forward, the current proposals are extremely vague. For this reason, I have tabled four questions to the Department for Transport asking for clarity over the new service's remit, their commitment to listening to local residents, the effect its creation will have on the current timeline, and where the staff from this new service will be drawn from. This last point seems particularly important as there are very few professional airspace designers and most are employed directly by the airports that the service would be expected to manage.
DIWALI
I was delighted to attend Namaste Kingston's Diwali Utsav event at the Kingston Academy last Saturday. Alongside the food, dancing, and music, the event was a wonderful way to bring the community together in a celebration of the festival of lights.
I want to thank all those who volunteered their time to make the event a success and to wish everyone celebrating a very happy Diwali.
RADIO JACKIE MONTHLY CATCHUP
It was great to speak to Radio Jackie earlier in the week about my work in Parliament and the Constituency over the past few weeks. Alongside discussing Hammersmith Bridge and Labour's plans to introduce VAT on private schools, I was very pleased to be able to commend Richmond Council's new top up allowance for people who need the support of the winter fuel allowance but are not eligible for pension credit.
You can listen to the whole interview on Radio Jackie's website here.
COMMUNITY NEWS
UP AND RUNNING
Every Monday from 17:50, the Up and Running store on Upper Richmond Road in East Sheen, set out a 5k route starting from their store. There is currently a small group of people of all abilities who take part in these runs, with the emphasis being on inclusivity and enjoyment.
The running group always has a run leader and a back runner to ensure that everyone can go at their own pace without worrying about their own time. As many people may be discouraged from running in the evening as the days get shorter, the group provides a community feel and ensures that everyone feels safe when taking part in the run.
This Social Running Group is free to join, and if you wish to participate, you just need to sign-up with the store at any point during their opening hours. If you wish to find out more about this weekly event, you can do so via the following link.
KINGSTON : YOUNG STITCHERS EVENT: 6-18 YEARS
On Saturday 2 November at 14:00-16:00, Tudor Drive Library is hosting an event for young stitchers (aged 6-18-years-old) to showcase and improve their craft. The event is organised by Kingston Stitchers, who put on a variety of talks and workshops for budding embroiderers to learn and craft their skills. This event, in particular, is aimed at younger crafters who are encouraged to make a copy of Oscar the Cat.
While the event is free to attend, Kingston Stitchers state that a donation of £3-£5 per child would be welcomed to help cover the cost of the essential materials which are provided. If you wish to find out more about this workshop, please see the following link.
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