Callum’s Catch Up 18.02.25
What I’m up to in recess
Parliament is in recess this week, which means no voting in Westminster, and more time to focus on doing my absolute favourite part of the job - speaking with local people and working hard to progress our local priorities.
I’m spending all week in Buckingham, Bletchley, Tattenhoe, and the many villages in between, and so far (thankfully) the weather has been on my side as I’ve visited the more rural parts of our patch.
Yesterday I visited Edgcott and Winslow Young Farmers Club and Harper Hill to hear more about the challenges working farms face - both on a local and national level. I listened to points of view on Agricultural Property Relief, HS2 works, and what needs to be done to ensure food security.
I’ve got lots more visits ahead this week on a huge variety of topics - from policing to flood alleviation. I will take all the views I hear back with me back to Parliament, and will always do my best to advocate for constituents.
Looking back to last week, I had the pleasure of appearing on BBC Three Counties Radio for a Valentine’s Day special to speak about how much I love our town of Bletchley. Here’s a quick snippet, and the full interview can be found on BBC Sounds. There’s so much potential in Bletchley, and the Government’s recent announcements on the Oxford-Cambridge Corridor (and growth more generally) are hugely welcomed.
Last week was also National Apprenticeship Week. So while in Bletchley, I chatted with some of our amazing local apprentices at MK College, and left feeling incredibly inspired. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to learn skills on the job, and I’m delighted that our Government is cutting red tape to allow up to 10,000 apprentices to qualify per-year. Everyone deserves a route to success, and I’m personally incredibly passionate about social mobility.
More on what I’ve been up to can be found below, and I’m going to end this week’s newsletter with two very welcome pieces of news. Locally, Milton Keynes Council have taken steps to clamp down on bad parking in Bletchley - I’ve heard first-hand from residents that this is a big problem, and our Labour-run city council is tackling the issue head-on.
Nationally, I am sure you will all join me in celebrating the excellent news that an extra two million NHS appointments have been created, plus waiting lists are down for four months in a row. We are delivering on our promises, and are working hard to get the NHS back on its feet.
Local visits
Elsewhere in the constituency this week I:
Watched the hotly-anticipated Buckingham vs Bletchley rugby match (pictured) and spoke with players about the value of grassroots sports. Obviously I didn’t take a side..!
Stopped by the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre in Quainton (pictured), and chatted with their incredibly dedicated staff and volunteers. Did you know that some of their steam trains are over 150 years old?
Canvassed in Buckingham and Winslow, and had some incredibly positive conversations on access to local health services, public transport, and affordable housing.
In Westminster
Back in Westminster I:
Celebrated I <3 Unions Week.
Engaged with the Labour Animal Welfare Society on what more can be done to eradicate animal cruelty.
Voted in favour of the second reading of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill to clamp down on illegal smuggling gangs.
Met with Chris Keating (CEO, Connection Support) and colleagues from across the homelessness sector on how we can end the injustice of homelessness.
