Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 1st February 2023) below:
Consensus
Wednesday is a day most known for party political arguments at Prime Minister’s Question Time, yet last Wednesday was for me focussed on cross-party working.
This started with attending a meeting hosted by Wendy Chamberlain, a Lib Dem MP, and attended by Carers UK and some employers. It was based around backing a new Private Member’s Bill she has introduced, which could see millions of unpaid carers who are looking after older, disabled or seriously ill relatives better supported in the workplace.
Shortly afterwards another chance to work with colleagues of all parties came as I volunteered to be part of the Bill Committee for the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill. This Bill was introduced by Conservative MP Henry Smith, with support from MPs of all parties. It will ban the import of so called “trophies” from endangered species into Great Britain. The bill passed its Committee Stage unanimously and is expected to become law later this year.
The image of Parliament shown in national media is often of politicians constantly arguing with each other. Yet it is common for MPs, who share a concern or interest in an issue, to work together with members of other parties to deliver changes which are in everyone’s interest.
Ukraine
It is nearly 1 year since Putin attacked Ukraine, shattering the peace between nations which had existed in Europe since 1945.
Over the last 12 months the Ukrainian people have fought heroically to defend their liberty, homes and nation, facing Russian forces which had expected a quick and easy victory. Their resistance has inspired many across the world and rightly seen Ukraine described as the front-line of freedom.
As the second year of the conflict nears, the key to ending the war is retaking the territories occupied by Russian Forces and forcing them out of Ukraine. Tanks are needed to do this. Hence decisions by the UK and other nations to give Ukraine the tanks it needs is the right one.
Holocaust Memorial Day
Torbay’s Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) service was held in the gardens of Oldway Mansion.
It is held annually on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, a camp where over 1.1m people were murdered, to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution and in genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
As the years pass less eyewitnesses are still with us, HMD is therefore becoming more important to not only remember those who were killed, but to hear the testimony of the survivors still with us and commit to educating future generations about what happened.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Friday 3rd February 3pm till 5pm at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD and Saturday 11th February 11am till 1pm at Paignton Library, Great Western Rd, Paignton TQ4 5AG.
For an appointment you can either email me at [email protected] or leave a message on 01803 214989, surgeries are for personal queries from residents they would like me to help them with, rather than a wider policy debate. There are also drop-in sessions from 10am till 1pm, Monday to Friday at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD where a member of my team is available to assist residents with urgent queries.
