Newspaper column 28 November 2018 - More good news for Cornwall Airport Newquay

The past week has seen some really good progress for Cornwall Airport Newquay with some exciting news for next year and some big steps forward with other long term goals for this vital piece of transport infrastructure in Mid-Cornwall.

It is difficult to overstate the importance of the airport and the links it provides for business and tourist to the Cornish economy.

On 16 November I welcomed Aviation Minister Baroness Sugg to the airport to discuss a number of matters relating to the future growth and expansion of the airport.

With the airport celebrating its busiest year so far, with 460,000 passengers using it, I was also pleased to get that the minister restated the Government’s support for the Newquay-London route via the recently announced continuation of the Public Service Obligation.

At the same time I took the opportunity to continue to lobby for the Heathrow route that people have been asking for, for years.

While the route to Gatwick has been a massive part of the business for our airport, with 40% of passengers currently using the London route, a regular link to Heathrow would provide even bigger and better opportunities through a direct link to world markets. Heathrow offers great connectivity to around 85 different countries including some of the faster global economies.

In Parliament earlier this week I continued to lobby the Secretary of State for Transport to win his support when he attended another event I hosted to promote the bid for Spaceport Cornwall.

I was delighted then, when on Thursday the Secretary of State announced the Governments support for a Heathrow connection.

The route will be run by Flybe, with the support of the Government and Cornwall Council via the Public Service Obligation and will replace the Newquay to Gatwick link. Flights will start in April 2019, increasing from three to four a day, seven days a week.

The service to Heathrow, which is the world's second busiest airport for international travel, will help businesses in Cornwall to compete nationally and internationally, attracting inward investment and boosting tourism.

It will also provide much-improved access to Central London via the sixteen minute Heathrow Express service to Paddington, Piccadilly Line and eventually the new Crossrail service.

This route will also open up possibilities for the export of Cornish goods through Heathrow which is the UK’s biggest port by value of the goods handled.

This is something I have worked hard with Ministerial colleagues to bring to reality and I would also like to thank the Transport team at Cornwall Council and management of Newquay airport for their work in securing this.

I believe this new route will not only help the airport to continue to grow but will also have a very positive impact on our local economy. It can also only help our bid for the Spaceport which I continue to work for.

My team and I are here to serve the whole constituency and work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone needing support. The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm (no appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my assistance on then please, either visit the office or contact me on either 01726 829379 or office@stevedouble.org.uk. Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only, advice surgeries across the constituency. Dates of these can be found at: www.stevedouble.org.uk/events

Campaign reply - Palestine Solidarity Campaign Lobbying Day

I have recently received a number of emails from constituents regarding the  in Parliament today.

In their emails they touched on a number of complex issues and there are several points I wish to raise in response.

The situation in Gaza is far from simple and the conditions are not simply the result of a siege but of the more than a decade long rule of Hamas.

Under their rule the humanitarian situation has dramatically worsened as funds have been consistently diverted to fund Hamas’s ever grander military ambitions. 

I am sure you will share my concern about Hamas’s ongoing presence in Gaza, and particularly its orchestration of the recent ‘March of Return’ campaign which has endangered the lives of both innocent Palestinians and Israelis alike.

Israel and Egypt maintain a blockade of the Gaza Strip due to the presence of Hamas, an internationally recognised terror group. For its part, Israel’s blockade has been in place since 2007 when Hamas violently ousted any Fatah presence in the territory and began firing thousands of rockets into Israel. Hamas has continued this violence, most recently seen in its launching of over 460 rockets indiscriminately into Israel.

Despite this threat, Israel continues to facilitate the delivery of legitimate humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza with thousands of tonnes of food, fuel, and medical supplies delivered every day.  The blockade has been eased in recent years with Israel permitting the delivery of construction materials with UN oversight, but I am in full agreement that more needs to be done to alleviate the suffering of ordinary Gazans.

With regards to the case of Ahed Tamimi, I welcome her release by the Israeli authorities in June this year, but have seen no evidence that she was mistreated by Israeli authorities.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the interrogation of minors is always carried out in Arabic. All minors brought before the court – during the investigation or thereafter – are represented by lawyers of their choice or lawyers provided for them by the Palestinian Authority. I have also been assured that isolation or solitary confinement is not used as an interrogation technique, and only in exceptional cases may a minor be held alone as a disciplinary measure following a disciplinary procedure.

On the subject of child detention and use of military courts, it is my understanding that if Israel were to use civil courts instead of military courts to try Palestinian youth, it would be accused of annexing the West Bank. Israel says that its justice system in the West Bank operates in accordance with the Geneva Conventions (as per Article 66 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which states that an Occupying Power can use military courts).

It is tragic that so many Palestinian youths have felt the need to turn to violence. What is clear, above all, is that the need for a renewed peace process is more urgent than ever. Our Government remains committed to a two-state solution through direct negotiations, and all parties involved as well as the international community must step up efforts without delay.  

I trust this adequately answers some of the issues raised and I always happy to meet with my constituents to discuss any matter of concern to them. I will be sure to continue monitoring developments in Israel.

Campaign reply - Race Horse welfare

A number of constituents have written to me regarding Race horse welfare:

 As many of you will know there was a debate in Parliament on 15 October following a  successful application to the Petition Committee. The petition, had over 105,000 signatures. The Government statement on this said it “does not consider that it is necessary to create a new body to protect racehorse welfare,” and outlines that “the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is responsible for the safety of jockeys and horses at races in this country.” The debate gave opportunity to challenge and question a Minister.

As a family we have been horse owners and lovers and so the debate was of interest however  I was unable to attend due to other pressing Parliamentary business. The Minister did take note of many of the points raised. It is also worth noting that the debate itself is an invaluable tool in raising awareness amongst MPs and the public around these issues. That has the effect of  influencing decision-making in Government and Parliament.

I firmly believe these debates makes all interested parties take note and the BHA will no doubt review all its' procedures if only to ward off possible punitive legislation. My own view is that I am generally against banning things and over legislating. However this is a matter I can raise with Ministers when I see them.

Campaign response - Will you support a Secondary Support Package for incurable breast cancer?

I have recently been contacted by constituents regarding secondary breast cancer care and treatment.

I am more than happy to support this cause

Having lost my own Mum to secondary breast cancer 11 years ago I have been pleased to have met with Support Breast Cancer Now in Parliament recently to learn more about the incredible work they are doing to help achieve their vision that by 2050 every woman with breast cancer will live.

Campaign response - Let’s tell consumers what they’re buying

A number of constituents have written to me over the issue of food labelling.

The early day motion mentioned is not something I will sign – not because I particularly disagree with it but because they rarely achieve anything whilst at the same cost the tax payer significant sums of money.

It is important that any food on sale is clearly labelled. The consumer can then choose. I have raised the matter with Ministers and I hope we will see action on this in due course.

Newspaper column 21 November 2018 - The EU Draft Withdrawal Agreement

Dominating the national news over the past week has been the draft Withdrawal Agreement between the Prime Minister and the EU for our leaving the European Union next March.

I have read and considered the 585 page Brexit deal proposed by the Prime Minister and on Friday came to the conclusion, as have many MPs across the political spectrum that this is not something I can support.

Deciding to oppose a key policy of your party leadership and government is not something I do lightly. However, there are times when as an MP who have to make a stand for what you believe. Since making my statement public on Friday I have been overwhelmed by the number of emails and comments on social media supporting my view. It is clear that a majority of local people, certainly those who have been in touch with me, agree with me.

Of course, I respect those who hold a different view. It is an unfortunate fact that this issue continues to deeply divide our country with strong and sincerely held views on all sides.

I have been honoured to twice be elected to represent the people of St Austell and Newquay. On both occasions, firstly when I asked you to put your trust in me to become your MP in 2015, and then when I stood for re-election last year, the promise of a delivery of a Referendum on our Membership of the EU and then the delivery of the decision of the British people was at the heart of the manifesto I stood on.

The UK, Cornwall and our constituency in particular, with the St Austell and Newquay Parliamentary constituency returning the strongest Leave vote in Cornwall, voted to leave the EU in 2016.
I am sorry to say that the Prime Minister’s deal does not deliver on our promise of the Referendum, which was to leave the EU and regain our sovereignty as an independent nation state.

My fundamental objection to the proposed deal is that it puts us in a worse position than we are currently. It neither delivers the commitments made by the Prime Minister to the British people, commitments made time and time again in speeches and at the dispatch box. Nor does it allow us to take advantage of the opportunities Brexit will present as an outward looking global nation.

For the first time in our history we will be in a position where we will be locked into a union that we will not be free to leave without the agreement of the other party. This most clearly is not taking back control and is unacceptable to me.

More so, it keeps us in a Customs Union, expressly against the Conservative 2017 Manifesto and commitments made numerous times by the Prime Minister. Whilst the deal presents this as a transitional arrangement, the fact is that we would not be able to level without the agreement of the EU. 

Further I believe the fishing community has been let down by this deal and left in a position where the future control of our waters and therefore the future of this industry is very much in question. This is not what we were promised when the Prime Minister visited Mevagissey in 2017.

I have always said I am a Cornishman first and a Conservative second. This deal, as I see it, is not in the best interests of Cornwall or our country.

My hope is that the Government will understand that this proposed deal is not acceptable to a majority of MPs, nor I believe the British people and go back to the EU to renegotiate a better deal that does deliver a true Brexit. Sadly, there is currently no sign that they are prepared to do this.

As such, if and when this deal, as it currently stands, is put before Parliament, I will vote against it. 

My team and I are here to serve the whole constituency and work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone needing support. The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm (no appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my assistance on then please, either visit the office or contact me on either 01726 829379 or office@stevedouble.org.uk. Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only, advice surgeries across the constituency. Dates of these can be found at: www.stevedouble.org.uk/events

Campaign reply - British people voted to leave “WITHOUT a deal."

A number of constituents have written with an email entitled “British people voted to leave “WITHOUT a deal.”

I have delayed coming to a decision with regards to the Brexit deal until I had time to read it. I wanted to make up my own mind and not just form on an opinion based on the spin being put out by others. Additionally I wanted to take soundings from local people to ensure I was also reflecting their views.

The full draft agreement was only released to MPs late on Wednesday evening. It is a 585 page document that would take some time to even scan through let alone read fully. I was therefore somewhat surprised at those who were express strong views, on both sides of the debate, within minutes of its publication.

I had a full diary on Thursday and was only able to give time to consider the agreement properly on the train journey home on Thursday evening. Even then I must admit I was not able to read every word. But having scanned the document and read what I consider the key parts I did form a view that this was not something I could support.

Having also now had time to consider all of the feedback from local people, online, from the hundreds of emails I have received and also talking to my key staff and local party members it is clear that the vast majority of people agree with my view.

I issued a statement on Friday and posted it here –

https://www.stevedouble.org.uk/news/steve-double-mp-statement-brexit-deal

confirming I will not be voting for this deal. My reasoning is as follows:

It does not fully  deliver on the promises made in our manifesto. That is reason enough. Further,  it locks us into a customs union we cannot leave without EU permission – I can never support that as it makes us a hostage to fortune and judging by the way the EU has behaved thus far it makes the notion untenable.

It risks the integrity of the United Kingdom – both politically and geographically.

We risk becoming a satellite state of the EU where we become rule takers yet have no influence over rule making.

It makes the proposals as they stand something I cannot vote for.

I trust you will understand and respect that I have taken an appropriate amount of time to consider what is after all a very important decision before coming to a firm view.