Despite how it appears on TV, there is a lot of collaborative working that takes place between different political parties in Parliament. Just before recess we elected the Chairs of the various Select Committees, including Andrew Tyrie’s replacement on the Treasury Select Committee who is Former Education Minister, Nicky Morgan. As well as cross party Select Committees there are also All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPG) that work together on specific areas of interest. I have agreed to co-chair two APPGs; one with Labour Peer Lord McConnell to work in partnership to support the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals and the second with Labour MP, Jess Phillips to support Women in Work, specifically women returning to work after a career break.
Back in the constituency, I really enjoyed visiting Camelsdale Primary School to answer questions over lunch with some children graduating from year six. Their year book identified one boy who had been voted most likely to be a Prime Minister of the future and one boy who already knew he wanted to become a Member of Parliament. I admire their focus and I’m definitely a slow starter as I only decided to try to become an MP four years ago….!
I was invited to attend the Build a Better A27 Community and Business Workshop where it was reiterated that the community need to act in a united way to secure funding for much needed improvements to our road network. The meeting was kindly hosted by Shelagh Legrave, Principal of Chi College and the conference room was packed out with representatives from local businesses including horticultural businesses from the Manhood and Rolls Royce, plus community groups from around the district. Following a meeting with the leadership of West Sussex County Council and Chichester District Council a deadline was given by Highways England of September 17th. This caused much concern so I agreed to try and see if it is possible to extend the timescale.