What a packed fortnight in Westminster! State Opening, Parliament Week, Remembrance Day and a reshuffle!
Parliament is always fascinating, as is the opportunity to see the heart of democracy for yourself, so it’s fantastic that, from schools to Guides groups, we had 22 local constituency Parliament Week activities; the annual event spreading what Parliament is and does.
Parliament offers resources year-round too, including online resources, events and school visit funding. I know it’s a journey from North Northumberland to Westminster, so it was lovely to meet Duchess’s Community High School’s politics class in Westminster a few weeks ago and answer their insightful questions. Parliament is not just for schools though; with enough notice, my team and I can book any constituents on a free ‘Inside Parliament’ tour – do get in touch!
Parliament’s historic rituals, like our country’s other solemn traditions, help unite and anchor our nation and politics in peaceful, moderate stability.
Not least is our duty of remembrance to all who lost their lives defending our freedom. It was my honour to dedicate our constituency tribute in Parliament’s ‘Garden of Remembrance’, partnered with the Royal British Legion.
Similarly, many issues constituents raise with me – cutting inflation and energy costs, boosting Northumberland jobs through trade and tax cuts, defending Ukraine, and preventing dreadful loss of civilian life, sending aid and releasing hostages in Israel and Palestine – make having friends and allies around the world as important today as in conflicts past. So I was also deeply honoured to lay a wreath at the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association’s Remembrance Day in Rarotonga – amongst the last places the ‘11th of the 11th’ falls each year.
From the Northumberland Fusiliers and RAF Boulmer, to the Cook Islands and beyond, we remember them.
These international challenges are why, with clear progress now on the Prime Minister’s five priorities – inflation halved! – they mark just the foundations of our ambition. New legislation in the King’s Speech will keep you safe: growing the economy, backing our Armed Forces, and empowering the police – reinforced by the bold appointment of David Cameron as Britain’s international voice. That’s what I’m working to deliver for you!