I’ll start this week’s article on purely local issues. In terms of recent local activity I’ve undertaken, these include a day out with Kent Police which included time in a patrol car leading us to an arrest in Broadstairs on a Magistrates’ warrant for a failure to attend Court. I had a broad and interesting chat with the constituent. I’ve never held an MP’s surgery in a patrol car before so this was certainly a first. The Broadstairs Food festival, despite mixed weather, was as busy as ever and to my mind bigger than ever. This annual event brings in visitors from far and wide and has gained an enviable reputation as one of the country’s finest food events. In Ramsgate I attended the installation of Father Paul Blanch as the new chaplain of Holy Trinity Church, Ramsgate. Paul has had an interesting career, with ministry in the US and across the UK; it is great to see Holy Trinity back to strength and I look forward to working with Paul across many projects.
Last Sunday saw the autumn Ramsgate litter pick organised by The Ramsgate Society, which brought together a multitude of volunteer groups who do so much for Ramsgate across West Cliff, East Cliff and the Town centre. A van load of rubbish was collected with cigarette butts featuring highly particularly outside pubs and restaurants. Come on licensed trade operators – a broom and a dustpan wouldn’t go amiss after closing time. As part of my allocated clean-up area along Military Road, it was a pleasure to take a coffee break with Dominic Grant in Arch 20. Many will know the outstanding work that Dominic produces – usually sculpting in clay for bronze casting. His latest project is for a 1.5 sized King George IV with the ambition for it to be cast and in place for the bicentenary celebrations overlooking the Royal Harbour that he designated in 1821. Intersperse this with my usual MP surgeries, visits to businesses and attending community group meetings in Cliftonville and Sandwich adds up to a busy few weeks.
And now to Parliament. Despite the confected rage about the extended prorogation, we spent the time debating the same old thing, listening to the same people attempting to derail Brexit. We voted once over the past two and a half weeks since being brought back following the Supreme Court judgement – that was whether to allow us Conservatives a three day Conference recess. Not too much to ask given the other main parties had the time to attend theirs. But no, this was rejected by the House. A spiteful act that should long be remembered.
As I write, I travel back to Westminster for the long overdue Queen’s Speech. We expect significant new proposals across crime and justice, the environment, transport, immigration, health and housing. Of course Brexit is to be a prime feature of another ‘crunch’ week. Will Parliament agree to a revised deal, will the EU reject the new proposals to detoxify the Ireland border issue, does the ‘Benn/Surrender Act’ have proper teeth to demand a further extension, will we sit on Saturday for the first time since the Falklands War? As ever, lots of unknowns, but sure to be a week to remember. We need Brexit done and in a proper manner, and I have every confidence that our new Prime Minister Boris Johnson can deliver it.