News from Westminster
As we look forward to 2023, naturally one also reflects on the year past; on the massive changes that have happened in the last twelve months. This time last year, we had a different Prime Minister, and the Queen was still our Head of State. It has been a tumultuous time in politics, and there have been many changes. My government role has changed, but my job as your Member of Parliament for Mid Dorset and North Poole remains the same.
I always love coming back from Westminster to Dorset as it is a journey that is bringing me home. 2023 will mark 20 years since I first moved to Dorset, and it is such a wonderful place to live, work and bring up my family. London is where parliament sits, but Dorset is very much home!
Later in the year we will hear the exact changes that are being made to the boundaries of Parliamentary constituencies. At the moment there are around 84,000 people living in Mid Dorset and North Poole, with around 65,000 adults eligible to vote. This needs to be increased, to standardise the size of constituencies. The new boundaries will mean that there will be around 72,000 voters, which is more similar to the other constituencies across Dorset and BCP.
Over the last year I have received over 8,500 emails and letters from constituents, and sent out over 10,000 email and letters. This might seem a lot, and my team and I do sometimes receive more than 100 emails each day. Many of you let me know your views on a range of issues, and that is an important part of being a constituency MP.
If you do need to contact me for help or advice, my excellent team and I will do everything we can to assist you. I always say that I sadly don’t have a magic wand, and change can be slow. But even if an issue is not within my gift or power, I will do my best to help, and point you in the right direction.
In Parliament I have one of the highest voting records amongst all MPs over the past year, voting on a wide range of topics. These included preventing child marriage in England, ensuring waiting staff get their tips instead of being kept by employers, enshrining freedom of speech in our universities into law, putting a cap on energy prices to prevent soaring bills, and putting a levy on oil and gas producers. I was pleased to support the government in the decision to increase benefits and pensions in line with inflation, which will benefit over 35,000 people in MDNP.
In the constituency I have had regular in-person and phone surgeries, and visited a wide range of people, including schools, charities, businesses and individuals. I have been quizzed by schoolchildren and hosted work experience students, had meetings with local councillors, the NHS, the Police & Crime Commissioner and the fire service.
We are living in challenging times, but I am proud of the support that the government has put in place for everyone here at home, and also the international support for the people of Ukraine.
