I’m very pleased Kemi Badenoch, the MP for North West Essex, has made it to the final two in the Conservative leadership selection. I’ve backed Kemi since the start of her campaign, and have worked closely with her to ensure her clear thinking, straight-talking attitude cuts through to those voting in the contest.
Conservative Party members will now be given their chance to vote for the Party’s new leader, and we will know the final result on November 3rd.
Now that the Parliamentary summer and Conference Recesses are over, my involvement in Parliamentary debates and questions continues, especially in connection with my role as Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. I was pleased to be able to work with all the Northern Irish parties to hold the Northern Ireland Secretary, the Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn, to account over the pausing of four city deals which will impact economic growth in the area.
However, Fridays are constituency days when I am out in Brentwood and Ongar visiting local people, businesses and organisations. Last week I visited some of the farmers who farm land in West Essex, to discuss their concerns for the future, what they want from the new Labour Government, and how they are trying to diversify to ensure their businesses can continue to flourish.
Rural crime, including theft of machinery, hare coursing and fly tipping continue to impact on farmers’ business costs, while fast food litter being thrown from vehicles using country lanes is an ongoing blot on the landscape. I will be contacting McDonalds, sadly the source of much of the litter the farmers find, to put forward some suggestions on how those who carelessly discard their wrappings can be traced and made to clean up their mess.
Pictured: Alex Burghart MP with West Essex farmers Jane Schwier, Robert Padfield, Ellie Gemmell, Rosemary Padfield, Ian Metson and NFU County Adviser Hamish Debnam-Sharp
