MPs’ Round-Up

MPs’ round-up This time next year we’ll be in a very different place

Without political point scoring, what are your new year wishes for Somerset for 2021? As time’s winged chariot navigates its usual course and 2020 shades into 2021, I’ve found myself – like, I suspect, many of you – reflecting on the year that’s passed. Of course, uppermost in everyone’s mind is the ongoing battle with – and tragic consequences of – the pandemic: an invisible enemy that’s paralysed large parts of our economy, caused us to second-guess the most basic (and best) of our human instincts and wrought havoc across Europe, the US and beyond. Yet I’m also keen to remember the way it has provided room for another virulent infection to grow, too: the incivility, suspicion and loss of trust that’s characterised our political discourse over the last five or so years. There’s no doubt debates on Brexit have provided space for previously marginalised groups – those Signs for a better 2021 are positive. We’ve got Brexit done and secured a good trade deal. It looks like we will have most of the very vulnerable vaccinated by the end of February. That’s bound to be followed by falling hospital admissions and deaths and the ability of everyone else to get back to something approaching normal. Parliament was recalled from recess primarily to debate and vote on the Prime Minister’s UK-EU trade deal. I welcomed the deal when it was announced on Christmas Eve and I voted for it – alongside 520 of my Conservative and Labour Somerton & Frome MP David Warburton

who’d thought themselves forgotten – to participate in politics and have their voices heard. But it’s also given room to those (on both sides) who have used the question of whether or not we remain in the EU as a symbol of something different – a shorthand for a world-view that accepts no compromise and regards opposition as a moral failing. Now the Prime Minister has done what many said was impossible –negotiated a deal and had it

MP for South West

Wiltshire Dr

Andrew Murrison colleagues. At the very least, this avoids a highly challenging No Deal the SNP and the Lib Dems approved by Parliament – one hope is that we can return to a more civilised and respectful brand of politics. For me, politics is where aspiration and policy-making meets real life. A process in which the overriding concern is what is desirable and possible. It’s not theology, in which the best outcome is to detect your opponents in some type of ideological heresy. For my own part, I’ll be continuing to argue robustly, but without assuming that those who think differently are malevolently motivated. And that reciprocal civility will be crucial if my other two hopes are to be realised. Firstly, a concerted effort to roll out the two vaccines which have now been approved and, as a consequence, a return to the normality for which we all yearn. Over the last nine months, my team and I have been helping an unprecedented number – tens of thousands –of individuals, organisations and businesses. would seemingly have preferred, having failed to support the deal. They won’t be allowed to forget that and the businesses that now have certainty, no tariffs and no quotas will carefully note their detachment from the real world. The deal offers the UK an opportunity to trade with the EU on a zero tariff and zero quota basis (the first deal of its kind ever agreed by the EU) while delivering promises to take back control of our money, borders and laws, thus ending jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. It offers us a new beginning of cordial and productive relations with the EU and the The opportunity to help and serve those in our part of Somerset is something for which I’m hugely grateful. But the volume of correspondence is also an index of the damage done to our communities and economy. So as the vaccine finds its way to the most vulnerable and life begins to return to normal, my priority will be to unleash the dynamism of our area. We’ve seen progress on the A303, improved broadband, and my campaign for a new station in the Somerton/Langport area was given initial funding in the Chancellor’s last Spending Review. But the key to rebuilding in our area lies in the bubbling entrepreneurial zeal of our communities: the human capital that constitutes our most precious resource. It’s that unsquashable energy that gives me the greatest optimism that this time next year will see us in a very different place, with Brexit behind us, the economy gathering pace and

Rejoice! 2020 is gone. Good riddance!

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scenario – something which the virus tamed. chance to heal domestic wounds and move on from the divisive referendum of 2016. So divisive in fact that nobody in their right mind should be entertaining one on Scottish separatism. It would likely be far worse, more rancorous if the SNP’s preferred way of working is any guide and technically far more difficult. Entering the New Year as a fully sovereign nation, we will have the freedom to forge our own future as a Global Britain. As a trade envoy, I am particularly excited to play my part in this new chapter. I’d like to wish everyone a much happier New Year.

MPs’ round-up Happy Groundhog Day – I mean, New Year

‘Groundhog Day’ was never a care and diligence. They DO receive the vaccine. Those who film I enjoyed and Covid apply to you. Stay home. When put themselves on the ‘frontline’ Groundhog Day still less. So! you do have to go out wear a include teachers, school staff, the Here we go again a New Year (a mask etc. I know it’s a pain and emergency services, belated happy one to you all) a nuisance. It is for all of us but pharmacists. We must get our and a new Lockdown. As I we must just ‘get on with it’; schools back asap and write, the words of the PM from If you can, volunteer to help vaccinating those who work in last night, making the Lockdown people with shopping, picking them is important in doing so; order are still being analysed and up a prescription or merely I am urging the Treasury to discussed. While another calling for a chat. Contact Dorset make support packages available. lockdown is regrettable, even a Council or me (contact details Lockdown or not I am here 24/7 cursory glance of the data, even below) if you feel you can help. to help residents of North Dorset here in Dorset, tells any right GPs will need help marshalling however I can. I will continue to thinking person it was the those waiting for vaccines. I provide advice surgeries either correct thing to do. The NHS is MP for North Dorset have volunteered to help out and over the telephone or digitally. on the point of implosion. Staff, Simon Hoare urge you to as well. Please email me: particularly the specialist ICU n If you are called for a simon.hoare.mp@parliament.uk staff, are running on empty – vaccine please get the jab. It is or call 01258 452585. You can they have been witnessing the is now lockdown or bust. Some the numbers of the vaccinated also write to me: Simon Hoare hand of covid death since somewhat dislocated points: that will help shape the timetable MP, The Stables, Whitecliff March. Ward sizes, and therefore n Now is NOT the time for for getting out of lockdown. Anti Gardens, Blandford Forum, bed capacity, have had to be being selfish. Dorset did so well vaxxers and other conspiracy DT11 7BU. I will be posting dramatically reduced in order to in keeping the R rate low in theorists can, and I say this Lockdown information on achieve safe social distancing. spring-summer as we viewed politely, frankly keep their simonhoare.org.uk and you can No government (and this is why this as a community effort. baseless views to themselves visit gov.uk/coronavirus for I welcome the constructive tone Covid IS a thing. It does kill. Its and stop muddying the waters. Government announcements. If of Kier Starmer last night) worth long-term effects are unknown. n I will continue to press for you need to contact Dorset its salt could stand by and do Play your part. Follow the rules (as has Dorset Council Leader Council it’s dorsetcouncil.gov.uk nothing. We’ve tried tiers and in full (they are not akin to a Spencer Flower), an urgent Let’s all keep safe! Best wishes, firebreaks with some effect but it Woolworths Pick & Mix) with review of the order of those who Simon Great honour to be there at Brexit deal vote

I returned to the House of Commons last week where we ended the year with a momentous day, as the EU (Future Relationship) Act 2020 became enshrined in law; and I followed every stage of the debate, both in the House of Commons and in the House of Lords. I voted to deliver the democratic will, and the very good trade agreement that the Prime Minister and the Government’s negotiating team have achieved; and MPs finally passed the UK/EU trade deal by 521 to 73 votes. Determined to see this historic process through to its final conclusion; it was my great honour to be in the Chamber, representing West Dorset, as Royal Assent was received and the Bill became law in the early hours of MP for West Dorset Chris Loder

December 31; and I hope this will now really allow us to move on from Brexit. I was also in the House of Commons on 30th December, as the Health Secretary shared the latest coronavirus tier review; and, after months of sustained challenge, the Government has now uncoupled rural Dorset from the BCP Council area. However, despite all we have done to maintain Tier 3 here, rates of infection have continued to rise across the country and we are now in a third national lockdown; which is a tough but very necessary measure. On December 15 I challenged the Business Secretary in the House of Commons on what support would be available to West Dorset’s small and micro-sized businesses should sustained restrictions be necessary. In response the Chancellor announced new financial support on Tuesday which will help protect jobs – in particular for our hardest-hit retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. This has also been a difficult time for schools and I engaged with most headteachers over Christmas to ensure the views and concerns of our local primary and secondary schools were well understood by the Government. I am grateful to parents and others who have also shared their views but especially thankful to teachers for doing all they can to work with the latest challenges and restrictions. We now need to work together and push down our local infection rate again; as we did so successfully just a few weeks ago. Personal responsibility remains key and, with vaccines offering us a light at the end of the tunnel, I am sure we can do this. For advice or support in coming weeks please visit my website at chrisloder.co.uk/coronavirus 59