Every fortnight I write a “Kev’s Column” for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 11th November 2020) below:
Covid-19
Our bay has been facing an escalating situation in terms of the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
No MP is enthusiastic about implementing new restrictions, but with the numbers in Torbay Hospital growing, and infections spreading up the generations, doing nothing was not an option.
Residents across our bay are doing their bit to face the current challenges, whilst our NHS and Social Care teams are working hard to protect the most vulnerable and those who have fallen ill.
Alongside this is the challenge of keeping wider essential services running, including treatments for other health conditions. Our NHS and Social Care teams are working hard to treat patients and respond to the pressures they are under. Their dedication is saving lives, yet an overwhelmed hospital cannot do the same, hence we all need to do our bit to help.
The request is simple, Stay At Home unless going out for one of the specified reasons.
Remembrance 2020
Today (11th November) marks 100 years since the Unknown Warrior, brought from a battlefield in Northern France, and given a state funeral in Westminster Abbey, exactly two years to the day after the guns fell silent on the Western Front.
To this day the identity of the solider is not known, being a symbol of the sacrifice of a generation who answered their nation’s call, plus the heartbreak for many families of not knowing exactly where their Son, Brother or Father lay. Many taking some comfort from the thought he may be the one buried in Westminster Abbey.
Given our 21st century battle against Covid-19 Remembrance was very different this year, no big parades and only small services at our War Memorials, with many observing the two-minute silence at home. Yet the spirit was the same, to pause and reflect on what price has been paid in the past to ensure our nation and its democracy survive in the present.
President Biden
After a week when the exact details of how Pennsylvania and Michigan count their votes became headline news, Joe Biden was confirmed as 46th President of the United States.
Joe is known to many in UK politics given his decades in the senate and 8 years as Vice President. The “Special Relationship” is not just about Prime Minister and President, but work across a range of areas where we have mutual interests, including in defence where our services share personnel and capabilities.
Yet the recent days brought to mind John McCain, not least when he took the microphone at a campaign rally to say Obama was a “decent family man”. I once heard him speak in person at a Party Conference, his example was what American Statesmanship can be. Let’s hope the next four years brings more of this.
Surgery Times
With the restrictions now reintroduced I have sadly had to cancel my regular advice surgeries until further notice.
I hope to restart them as soon as possible, but in the meantime a telephone surgery appointment can be arranged.
Please note these appointments are for urgent personal matters, such as welfare, immigration, problems accessing support and benefits, rather than to discuss policy or the wider situation.
You can either email me at [email protected] or leave a message on 01803 214989 and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.
