Happy New Year to everyone in Meriden and Solihull East. I hope everyone managed to have some time to rest and relax with friends and family over Christmas and reflect on a tumultuous 2024.
As we look to the year ahead, I am determined to stand up for the causes that matter to my constituents.
At the back end of last year, I relaunched my campaign to secure A&E services for Solihull. My petition for an A&E for Solihull has received a strong local endorsement with almost 3,200 signatures across the borough, and I have written to the Health Secretary with fellow MP Dr Neil-Shastri Hurst to seek Government support.
We were very disappointed that the Government failed to commit to our campaign and have responded outlining why we believe A&E services in Solihull are so essential. We will not give up.
One of our main concerns is the increased strains on local infrastructure because of top-down planning proposals being introduced by the Government. In areas like Meriden and Solihull East, our schools, GP surgeries and hospitals will not be able to cope with a huge uptake in demand that would come about if thousands of new homes are built without the consent of the local community.
That’s why I am dedicated to ensuring that any new housing developments imposed on by the Government are held to account.
Our green spaces are under threat constantly and I won’t stand by and let the Government build thousands of new homes that lack local democratic consent.
This year, I’ll also be continuing my campaign to save Solihull Police Station and get more police on our streets.
I know from my surgeries that local people feel safer when they see police out and about doing their jobs. That’s why I will do all I can to ensure the local Labour Police and Crime Commissioner focuses on keeping police on the streets and keeping the police station open.
As the former president of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, I want to do all I can to champion our communities’ businesses. Last year, we saw lots of new businesses open in Meriden and Solihull East.
This is great news for our community and will lead to more jobs and opportunities.
Business creates jobs and I will continue to spend time in Parliament standing up to the Government who are putting new pressures on our businesses, with higher taxes and increased red tape.
2025 is bound to be another historic year.
Donald Trump will become President of the United States once more which is bound to present the UK with new challenges and opportunities.
The Government will also seek to undo the mess caused by their Budget of Broken promises which has put huge pressures on household finances and our businesses.
As your local MP, I promise to that I will stand up for your priorities both in the House of Commons and here at home in the community.
