I wanted to start this week’s column by saying what a great privilege it was to attend Harry Billinge’s funeral last week. Hundreds of people lined the streets to say goodbye to Harry as he made his way to St Paul’s Church in Charlestown, which was packed with friends and family celebrating the life of our beloved D-Day veteran. I believe this is testament to the extraordinary man that Harry was and the mark he left on the lives of so many people.
Harry was given a
wonderful service, which was broadcast by national media, and a fitting tribute
that reflected his character and faith. I would like to thank Harry’s family
for sharing this special time with me and so many others.
Harry dedicated most of
his life to ensuring his fallen comrades were never forgotten and I am certain Harry’s
legacy will continue to live on. I am honoured to have known Harry and he will
be missed very much.
While we
are on the subject of honour, I was proud to have been one of nearly 300 MPs
sanctioned by Russia over the war in Ukraine last week. While I cannot assure
Putin that I will lose any sleep over the sanctions imposed on me, I can
reassure people that I remain united with Ukraine as they continue to fight
against the Russian dictator’s illegal invasion.
Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions
about the sanctions, Mr Johnson said: “It is
no disrespect to those who have not been sanctioned when I say that all those
287 should regard it as a badge of honour. What we will do is keep up our
robust and principled support for the Ukrainian people and for their right to
protect their lives and families, and to defend themselves. That is what this
country is doing and it has the overwhelming support of the whole House.”
I
completely agree with the Prime Minister and the action being taken by this
Government against Putin's indefensible actions. I will wear my badge of honour
with great pride.
Speaking
of pride, I would now like to take a brief look back at some of the huge
achievements made by this Government following the proroguing of Parliament last
week. Prorogation means bringing an end to the current parliamentary session immediately
before the Queen’s speech which will be held on the day that parliament reopens.
Nearly 20 Acts of Parliament have now been passed, which
shows we are getting on with the job we have always said we would and I think
some of the big ones to highlight, and most relevant to us here in Cornwall,
include the world-leading Environment Act, which will improve air and water
quality, tackle waste, increase recycling, halt the decline of species, and
improve our natural environment.
The Environment Act is also cracking down on those water
companies who discharge sewage into rivers, waterways and coastlines, which is
an issue I have long taken an interest in, having chaired the cross-party Ocean
Conservation APPG from 2015 to 2021 and championed local and national campaigns
to tackle this issue in Parliament. This
will see a duty enshrined in law to ensure water companies reduce the impact of
discharges from storm overflows. New duties will also require the government to
publish a plan to reduce sewage discharges from storm overflows by September
2022 and report to Parliament on the progress towards implementing the plan.
There is also the National
Insurance Contributions Act 2022, which will increase the thresholds from July
and be worth an average of £330 a year—the largest single personal tax cut for
a decade; Nationality and Borders Bill, to take control of our immigration
system; the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, to make the streets of
Mid Cornwall safer; and our Health and Care Bill, which will reduce red tape
and help to cut the covid backlogs.
We have also passed the
Animal Welfare Act, which has
brought in some of the world’s highest and strongest protections for pets,
livestock and kept wild animals; the Building Safety Act, making
homes across the constituency safer; Marriage
Act, Skills Act, which will level up economic growth across the country; and
many more.
As the Prime Minister has
made clear, this Government is focusing on delivering the people’s priorities,
and there is plenty more to come in the Queen’s Speech on May 10.
If I can be of any further
assistance, my office is available for any constituents needing help, advice or
guidance – tel. 01726 829379, email – office@stevedouble.org.uk
