I had a very busy recess as it is local election season but it was lovely to see people’s gardens springing into life. I had several visits to various organisations including Wickham Surgery, the University of Winchester to hear about chalk streams; meetings with environmentalists including the Hampshire and Wildlife Trust at St Clair’s Meadow on the River Meon and a visit to Naomi House and Jack’s Place to hear about the issues facing hospices. Flooding has been an issue around the constituency of late but I hope that the rain will stop for a bit and allow the ground to dry out especially for farmers.
This week started with a visit to Westminster from Bishop’s Waltham Camera Club. I have been to its annual exhibition and I think the Doorkeepers in Parliament were a little startled to see so many people carrying large cameras around. Sadly, people are not allowed to take photos except in Westminster Hall but I hope to see some of the photos in the next annual exhibition.
Voting was dominated by the Lords’ amendments on the Safety of Rwanda Bill. This is now in ‘ping-pong’ with the Lords and will be coming back next week with final amendments. As I have said before, the UN sends refugees for processing in Rwanda so I am confident that this will be safe for refugees.
I also voted for the Second Reading of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill as I hope that this will prevent future smokers. Most people start smoking as a teenager and nicotine addiction is very hard to stop. By banning it year by year, it will mean that people don’t start in the first place but allow those existing smokers to continue. I have concerns about vaping as it has only been a replacement for 15 years. It still means that people are inhaling chemicals although it is apparently better than smoking cigarettes. Only time will tell. We are concerned that children are being attracted to vaping and you only need to look at the cabinets of vapes to see how attractive they are.
We also voted on the Finance Bill to put in place some of the measures of the Budget and the SNP voted against. It is interesting to see the SNP government raising taxes and now changing the goals on climate change.
The Prime Minister made a statement on the Iran/Israel missile attack. It is very worrying the conflict may escalate and I hope last night’s attack on Iran will be the last. Thank goodness there have been no casualties to add to the thousands that have been killed in Israel and Gaza over the last six months. The UK funding to UNRWA is about to finish at the end of April and I urged the Government to continue it as there has been no solution to the Palestinian refugee crisis since it began in 1949. The Minister stated the Government was waiting to see the report on the UNRWA workers who apparently were part of the Hamas attack, but many other countries, including the USA, have resumed funding UNRWA and we are behind on this.
Last night I attended the Bishop’s Waltham’s Rotary Club’s Breast Cancer Fundraising Fashion Show. It was packed out and double the tickets could have been sold. It raised £1400 in the raffle and I know it will have made a huge amount on the sale of the tickets too. It was good to see all the local shops supporting, especially those contributing clothes and models for the fashion show. A massive thank you to all the organisers and workers behind the scenes. There was even a public proposal of marriage on the stage at the end, which was lovely.
I continue to be out campaigning in the evenings and weekends so please stop me as I pass by!
Have a good weekend.
