Another month goes by. As MPs return to the House of Commons en masse for the first time since the beginning of lockdown, there has been so much work to be done to help get this country back on the right path and deliver on our promises made in the 2019 election.
It was great to return to the House of Commons and seeing it so full really was a reminder of what we have overcome these past 18 months. The atmosphere has been something that I am sure we have all missed, and it was a great reminder of how a vibrant democracy flourishes.
As you will be aware, the fuel issue has dominated a lot of our lives and media over the past few weeks. Information has now indicated that there was no shortage of fuel, and the shortages were caused by panic buying. I have now been informed that we are through the worst of it, here in the Calder Valley. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has approved a request for 150 military tanker drivers to help deliver fuel, which will go a long way to easing the remaining shortages, now mostly in London and the South East.
Last month also saw a government re-shuffle, during which, I was honoured to be given the position of Lord Commissioner (HM Treasury) (Whip).
I am delighted to be back in government and will do all I can to help the government achieve its purpose of building back better and levelling up the whole of the United Kingdom; an agenda from which Calder Valley towns (specifically Todmorden, Elland and Brighouse) are set to directly benefit from over £42million worth of investment.
This month also saw my first coffee morning since the start of the pandemic. It took place in Hipperholme, and it was great to meet so many people and hear about the issues facing the local residents there.
We received some very good news in relation to Elland Train Station. The application has now been officially submitted, and we are now in the public consultation phase. If you would like to contribute to the public consultation, you can do so here – https://portal.calderdale.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=QVYWU4DW0CT00
I was also delighted this month to be invited to attend the official opening of the Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Scheme. The scheme is a £32million flood defence scheme to provide better protection for over 400 properties in Mytholmroyd. I am delighted that this is now in place, which will help to protect many homes and families from flooding in the future.
I would like to thank all those who I have met recently, from William Hill in Todmorden, to the fantastic Tempus Novo charity, to the unveiling of the blue plaque to commemorate the birthplace of John Tillotson at Old Haugh End Cottage in Sowerby. It has been a great experience to meet you all, in person, and be warmly welcomed to take part in community events such as these.
Finally, I would like to take a moment to remember my colleague and friend Sir David Amess. David truly was one of the greatest men ever to grace the halls of Parliament. He was kind, funny, hardworking, and a dedicated Parliamentarian.
In his 38 years in Parliament, he worked tirelessly for his constituents, first in Basildon, and then in Southend West and was dedicated to serving the people of his constituency. He was the master of the ten-minute rule bill, helping to establish legislation like the Protection Against Cruel Tethering Act and the Warm Homes Bill, and fought for many years to raise awareness of endometriosis. He will be remembered by all those who knew him for his optimism, his infectious smile and his good will to everyone he met.