Last week started with spending some time in the constituency office and I was able to catch up with the members of my team based in Newton Aycliffe. We were able to discuss our plans for the coming weeks and particularly arrangements for Parliament Week, Remembrance Sunday and our Christmas card competition. Like last year, we are holding a competition open to local schools to design our Christmas card.
Parliament Week is where we try to connect with different organisations to inform them more about the operations of Westminster and in particular the work of their MP. I have spoken to some schools and I will be in a meeting with the WI this week, but if you would like me to visit your organisation please write and let me know.
Last week I also had my monthly meeting with the senior management of Durham County Council. This is where I take the opportunity to raise issues that you have raised with me, that we are not seeing good progress on.
We were also looking at the details for our forthcoming surgeries at Ferryhill, Middleton St George, Woodham and Trimdon Grange. Please contact us at the email address below if you would like an appointment at any of these.
One issue you may have noticed in Parliament last week was the Owen Paterson affair. This was where we voted not to directly accept the recommendations of the Committee on Standards to suspend him for 30 days. This has been portrayed in the press as if we were trying to prevent Mr Paterson from facing the penalty he had been given, it was nothing of the sort. We voted to attempt to create a change that would have allowed him to be able to appeal, however the opposition parties then refused to engage with the proposed procedure. I find this strange as anyone else would have the right to appeal a sentence imposed. Having read the report, I have to say I was surprised he wanted to appeal, as it looked cut and dried to me and I could only see a worse outcome for him. My opinion is that if an MP is found guilty of being paid to lobby, then the consequences should be more than just a 30-day suspension, I believe they should at least face a by-election and preferably not be allowed to stand.
Another issue that you may have seen would be the Environment Bill. This has had quite a bit of press for allegedly allowing the pollution of rivers by storm overflows. This is a fundamental misrepresentation of the Bill, which in effect reduces the use of storm overflows as well as improving water quality, promoting biodiversity and reducing the use of single use plastics.
Last week l referred to the COP26 event taking place in Glasgow, on Saturday I went to Sedgefield Parish Hall where Sedgefield Area Churches Together were holding a cafe COP to educate locals on some of the issues under debate and it was a pleasure to join them. Whilst COP26 is very important it is also critical that everyone can understand how their own actions can make an impact. After that I had the privilege of helping to sell poppies for the Royal British Legion, all the money raised goes to help those who gave service to us when it was needed.
Remembrance Sunday is the second Sunday in November and this is associated to Armistice Day on the 11th of November which commemorates the day World War One ended, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. One of my challenges as the MP for Sedgefield is that there are so many services that take place, often simultaneously. I will lay around 30 wreaths over the days from the 11th to the 14th of November. l will also attend several services including Middleton St George, Neasham, Trimdon Village, Durham Cathedral and Newton Aycliffe.
We still have Covid rates that are higher than we would like so can I please encourage you all to wear a mask when appropriate, test regularly and take advantage of whatever jabs you are offered. I hope to get my booster jab this week.
Stay safe
Paul Howell
Member of Parliament for Sedgefield