Callum’s Catch Up 26.11.24
Storm Bert response and a tribute to John Prescott
I know that many residents in my constituency are affected by Storm Bert and the subsequent flooding across the county. I am in regular contact with Buckinghamshire Council, which has responsibility for coordinating flood risk management, and have spoken with affected parish councils too.
Our Government is committed to ensuring that families and businesses don’t pay the price of flooding. I am therefore pleased that we have launched a Resilience Taskforce to bolster Britain’s resilience to flooding in the future. Our previous Conservative Government was too chaotic and distracted to learn lessons from the past and protect communities before disaster strikes. This is something we will rectify.
Labour is getting on with the task of governing our country and we are choosing investment over decline. Following on from last week’s debut of draft legislation to reduce business rates and the announcement that both Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes are to receive funding to enhance popular bus routes, I’ve written my monthly column on why I am proud to be backing local high streets. Click here to read in full, and I promise as your MP that I will do all that I can to protect and enhance our local town centres.
Another piece of local positive news this week is that Sir Herbert Leon Academy in Bletchley were awarded 'good' in their Ofsted inspection. I visited the school earlier in the year, and the dedication from teachers and pastoral staff was clear to see. It's been a long journey for the school to get this grade, and I hope that all who contributed can feel proud in what they’ve achieved.
Lastly, I cannot end this newsletter without paying tribute to John Prescott, a man who always had the back of Britain’s working class communities. He epitomised traditional values in a modern setting. These governing principles are just as relevant now as when John served in the last Labour Government.
I, like many, have taken inspiration from John and aim to serve with the same level of integrity.
Thank you for reading…
Brilliant Bucks and Bletchley pictures!
In case you missed it, last week was UK Parliament Week. This annual event helps to spread the word about what Parliament is, what it does and how you can get involved.
To mark the occasion (and to decorate our new office) I asked local schools to submit pictures of the beautiful places that make up Buckingham and Bletchley.
The pictures from St Thomas Aquinas Primary were some of my favourites, and they won the overall competition. The below picture of White House Lake from Sibila (age 7) is definitely going to have pride of place on the wall!
Local visits
In the constituency this week I:
Spoke with students at The Buckingham School and The Royal Latin School (pictured) where I received a thorough grilling by the sixth form's senior student leaders!
Received a hugely warm welcome from the KSI Muslim community of Milton Keynes at the Zainabiya Islamic Centre.
Met with the new Chair of Trustees at Willen Hospice to hear more about their funding needs.
Discussed local concerns with Oving Parish Councillors, such as the provision of reliable public transport.
In Westminster
Back in Westminster I:
Voted in favour of ending tax breaks for private schools, and improving standards and opportunities for the 93% children attending our state schools.
Took part in a briefing session with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Joined my fellow Milton Keynes MP, Emily Darlington, for a White Ribbon Day Parliamentary Reception. This is the day men show their commitment to ending violence against women and girls, and as a male MP I know how important it is to show allyship.
