This week was the last for us in Westminster before summer recess. Whilst there has been some important legislation like the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, the focus in the media has of course been on the election of the new leader of the Conservative party. At the time of writing this had reached the stage of the last four candidates. Considering these, I remain of the opinion that the best of these for the North East is my neighbour Rishi Sunak. I want to hear your views though, so I have put out a survey on my Facebook page and would welcome your views (https://www.paulhowell.org.uk/nextprimeministersurvey).
Over last week I had meetings with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders where I also engaged re the problems the semiconductor industry is facing. This I was able to do because of the work I am doing in the BEIS select committee to investigate this sector. I also joined the Baker Dearing Educational Trust to celebrate the success of University Technical Colleges like our own based in Newton Aycliffe and it was a pleasure to catch up with the Principal, Tom Dower. I also went to the Great Yorkshire Show to meet members of the NFU and some of our local farmers.
It is fantastic to see the number of fetes and events taking place as we come out of Covid and enter summer. I had the pleasure of opening one in Piercebridge last week and this gave me the opportunity to talk to many residents and I hope that this week, at the Blue Light event in Newton Aycliffe on Saturday, I will get a similar opportunity with Aycliffe residents.
On Sunday I was on BBC Politics North, I discussed both the leadership contest, and also the announcement by Rolls Royce of the shortlist of potential venues for the construction of the heavy vessels for the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) programme they are developing. One of these is our very own Forest Park and is another vote of confidence in our town.
On Monday of this week I was pleased to be given the chance to ask a question to the Secretary of State for Defence. I used it to promote the need for the initiatives of companies like Kromek in Sedgefield who are leading the way in developing defence capabilities for potential biological warfare aggressions. As we see the ever increasing atrocities in Ukraine, it is fantastic to see businesses developing science led defences and I am extremely proud that this is being led by businesses in my Sedgefield constituency.
It is businesses like Kromek, and others at NETPark and Newton Aycliffe, that are leading the way in creating jobs and careers that can provide incredible opportunities for our young people without them leaving the area. I hope that I can, in some small way, support these businesses through discussions with all departments of Government.
As always if you want to contact me please give us a call on 01325 790580 or email me at Paul.Howell.MP@Parliament.uk
Paul Howell, Member of Parliament for Sedgefield