While I am usually in the constituency on Fridays while Parliament is in session, last Friday was a “sitting Friday” where Parliament sits to allow debates on keys issues to take place.
Friday saw the Third Reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (end of Life) Bill. While I remain open-minded on the principle of assisted dying I continue to be unconvinced by the existing Bill and voted against it at Second Reading. I will continue to follow the debate closely and listen to the concerns of my constituents on both sides of the debate.
Recently the Commons has also been debating the need to take make tougher action to tackle illegal migration and to remove those who come to the UK illegally. My party has presented the government with a number of good options and has drafted a bill which sets out practical measures to create a fairer migration system and includes automatic deportation for anyone who arrives in the country illegally. Unfortunately, the Government rejected a number of these proposals during the passage of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill but we will continue to push them on it.
Amid these Commons debates, I was also able to talk to constituents from Stapleford Tawney who are concerned about the impact of a proposed solar farm on the land and countryside in this historic part of the constituency. While planning objections need to go to Epping Forest District Council, I have agreed to meet with residents to hear more from them about their concerns, and to let them know how they can best make their objections heard. If you are affected by this or any similar development and would like to share your views with me, please get in touch.
