Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 22nd July 2020) below:
Normal Times?
Last week was the closest to a normal week for me since early March. Parliament sat for four days, I was able to do visits locally and I restarted my weekly Advice Surgeries.
Yet this was very much a “new” normal with social distancing measures in place, most meetings via phone or video conferencing, rather than face to face, and only limited numbers of MPs allowed in the Commons Chamber.
A key session for me in the Commons was Home Office Questions. This was the first session since March where all Ministers could take part and answer questions, yet in the “new normal” only 2 Ministers can be on the frontbench at the same time (One of which had to be the Home Secretary). This meant after answering a group of questions having to walk out the chamber, turn right into one of the Voting Lobbies which run parallel to it, walk the length of the Chamber and then re-appear from the other end ready for the next slot answering a question.
I did this round trip three times which felt odd in the chamber and must have looked even stranger for those watching on the TV, but it is a sign of more “normal” times returning.
Parliament in York?
Two years ago, I was one of a small number of MPs to vote in favour of looking at options to move Parliament out of London as part of the restoration works needed to the Palace of Westminster.
This would bring some significant costs savings, boost a regional economy and help make political debate less London-centric. The idea of moving parliament has been revived after the Prime Minister suggested a new Government Hub in York could provide a possible location for Parliament during refurbishment works.
Whilst in the long-term core aspects of Parliament’s work will need to be located near the Government it holds to account, recent weeks have shown a raft of other parliamentary business can be done via digital means, with many meetings proceeding effectively online.
In the meantime, I would be happy to temporarily swop Westminster for York Minster as the destination of my weekly commute from Torbay.
Town Centres
Walking through Union St, Torquay or past Crossways in Paignton shows the scale of the challenge we now face in our Town Centres post Coronavirus.
Yet the two large cranes rising above Paignton Sea Front and the Torwood Street Development nearing completion are signs of confidence and how investment can be attracted here.
Government Funding via the Torquay Town Deal and the Future High Streets Fund in Paignton could be game changing, with bids for over £43m from them now submitted.
Getting work underway will rely on solid planning and a willingness to agree the changes needed for them to succeed.
Surgery Times
Following recent changes in public health guidance I have restarted my regular advice surgeries, although they must be by appointment only.
My next surgeries will be on Saturday 25th July from 11am till 1pm at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD. Social distancing measures will be in place and please bring a face covering unless you have a medical condition which means you cannot wear one.
To book an appointment you can email me at [email protected] or telephone 01803 214989.
