What Does a Former MP Do?

What Does a Former MP Do?

There has been so much happening in my world in the last month that I thought it was worth putting pen to paper. Firstly, can I thank those residents who were kind enough to donate toys and clothes for me to donate to a care home in Zambia. I was fortunate enough to be passing through Zambia, enroute to a wedding, and being able to take your donations to the care home was a wonderful experience. The Sisters that run the care home are truly inspirational.
Then, not long after returning home, I had the immense pleasure of attending the Aycliffe Business Park Community ‘Make Your Mark’ awards. My congratulations to the Winners, Nominees and all involved on the night. I have attended many times and this is one of my favourite nights of the year, with so many people celebrating the many outstanding people and businesses we have in Aycliffe, it was both surprising and disappointing that my successor failed to turn up. Our businesses deserve and need his engagement.
As I have more time on my hands now, I was able to support the Northumbria Blood Bikes in their 360 challenge which involves riding a motorbike around their region in one day, this was a 275 mile trip, but I raised over £500, so well worth it. I also supported Durham University in their examinations by being a ‘Board’ member for students to present to, always great to see young people growing.
I will finish by saying how pleased I was to see Nev Jones found not guilty to the charges made by the Police. Nev and Jo have done so much for our town over the years and hopefully they will feel able to get back to what they do best.
I had a great relationship with the Police when I was MP and it has been difficult to watch this play out, but it concerns me that they could apply so much time and resource to something that ultimately proved to be a false charge by themselves when there are so many pressing concerns for residents, not least shoplifting in our town centre. Let’s hope they can reflect and focus efforts where they should be.
I am also doing work with a policy group called True North that is cross party and advocates for all of us in the true north, which we define as being from about Teesside up, not Leeds and Manchester as Westminster seem to think. So, if anyone has any contributions they wish to make, please get in touch at paul.howell.xmp@gmail.com – It would be great to hear from you.