Welcome to my first blog!
It’s been a whirlwind first month trying to get to grips with my new role but I’m pleased to say I’m starting to build a clearer picture of how things work in Westminster, even if I’m still repeatedly getting lost making my way around Parliament.
As you’ll understand like with any job a lot of my time has been taken up with induction and onboarding activity such as setting up my office and getting my parliamentary IT sorted. I’ve also had to look for London accommodation which has taken quite a bit of time, so I’m delighted that my constituency office is already up and running and that most of the brilliant team Kate Green employed have agreed to stay on. We are already able to support constituents and have received what must have been several hundred queries over the past couple of weeks. This is without doubt the most important part of my work so it’s a relief to know that residents in need of help and support can reach out if they need to.
One of the first things I needed to do after being elected was of course to resign as Leader of the Council and I was really pleased earlier this month to hand over to my successor, the excellent Cllr Tom Ross. Tom is a vastly experienced Stretford councillor and I know he will do a brilliant job leading the Council in the months and years ahead.
Although I’ve been busy getting myself up to speed I’ve also been popping into the Chamber when I can and this week has been a particularly busy one. On Monday the Government brought forward its Sack Nurses Bill – legislation to force workers on strike to provide a minimum level of service or face the sack. This is something I would never support and I joined Labour colleagues in voting against the plans which sadly passed with Tory votes.
Tuesday’s business was somewhat overtaken by the Prime Minister’s decision to overrule the Scottish Parliament’s proposals to reform the process for applying for a Gender Recognition Certificate. There is no doubt that this is a process that is desperately in need of reform and contains a number of indignities: it’s still the case, for instance, that if you are married you need the permission of your spouse to receive a certificate which simply can’t be right. As ever this is a complex and difficult issue but I strongly support the right of transgender people to live the life they choose. That said the question before the House on Tuesday wasn’t about this and we were in fact simply asked to note the decision to overrule Scottish legislation. This could have significant ramifications for devolution and while I certainly don’t pretend to understand all of the nuances of devolved decision making in Scotland, it’s clear this is a minefield and on that basis I joined the overwhelming majority of my Labour colleagues in abstaining.
Wednesday was another meaty debate with several votes on the Retained EU Law legislation. This in effect repeals all outstanding EU law and amounts to a bonfire of legislation around workers rights, health and safety and other key protections. The Government has not put in place alternatives in all these areas so there was no way I could support the legislation. I did support multiple amendments to deal with these issues which were rejected by the Tories, but ultimately voted against the Bill when these fell.
Thursday is always a really good day in Parliament to get a question in as there are general Business Questions every week. I hadn’t previously asked a question but tried to do so in Transport Questions given the appalling performance of Transpennine Express and the impact this is having on the Urmston line. I wasn’t called unfortunately so waited until Business Questions and challenged the Leader of the House to ask her Government to do more, and to convene a debate on this sustained underperformance.
Between Transport and Business Questions there was an Urgent Question on the Levelling Up Fund Round 2. I’m really pleased to say that the bid submitted by Trafford Council last year to level up in Partington with investment in sport and leisure facilities has been successful. This innovative bid looks at ways to tackle health inequalities in the local area, with Partington residents enjoying on average 16 years less of healthy life expectancy than those living in the neighbouring ward of Bowdon. Whilst I’m thrilled our bid was successful I do have concerns about the bidding process and listening to the session I decided to ask a question appealing to the Minister to end the nonsensical and expensive competitive bidding process and allocate the Levelling Up funding based on need. I’m confident Partington’s bid would have been successful either way and I look forward to supporting implementation of the Council’s plans.
Just a quick mention finally about my activity in the constituency. Last week I held my first advice surgery supporting residents face to face. These days most issues can be resolved on the phone or by email but occasionally face to face appointments are needed so I was glad to get these started. I also attended an excellent Knife Crime Awareness Week session with Year 9’s at Stretford High. This was delivered by teachers alongside Greater Manchester Police and it was great to see the young people so engaged and see first hand how these sessions are delivered.
Next week I’m hoping to deliver my maiden speech in the Chamber so I’ll be spending quite a bit of time pulling that together over the next few days but as ever if there’s anything I can help with don’t hesitate to get in touch.