Let me begin by saying a Happy New Year to residents across South West Wiltshire.
Last year was certainly an eventful time to be in Westminster and I’m sure 2018 will prove to be just as lively. The priority for the New Year continues to be working with the European Commission to secure the best deal for both sides ahead of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union on 29th March next year. This cannot, however, sideline the extremely important domestic issues which need to be addressed. I do hope that the investments made by this Government in our NHS, housing, and infrastructure are advanced in the coming year, aided by an economy which is now returning to pre-crisis levels. Without a strong economy we just can’t achieve the improvements in public services we all want.
Last week the Prime Minister introduced her new cabinet, with the resignation of the Education Secretary, Justine Greening, gaining particular attention in the press. I regret Justine has left her post and hope that her commitment to social mobility and her talents are used to good effect on the back benches. Another change was the resignation of the Northern Ireland Secretary, James Brokenshire, with whom I had a very positive working relationship in my role as Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. I wish him a speedy return to full health and return to frontline politics. James’s successor, Karen Bradley, I know from my work on commemorating the centenary of the Great War. I look forward to working with Karen in her new remit and expect that she will work hard to give Northern Ireland the care and attention it requires in the face of Brexit and continuing political instability.
The parliamentary term ended late, with lots of votes on the EU Withdrawal Bill. We will still be leaving the EU in March 2019 although there is now a delaying clause for use in exceptional circumstances, the result of much parliamentary back and forth. It also looks like we will have a transition or implementation period of 1-2 years after that.
The year also finished with the PM’s deputy getting the sack for breaking the ministerial code. As often seems to be the way in such cases, it isn’t the offence itself that sinks you, but being less than candid about it. A lesson for us all.
It’s been a particularly busy year for me with a general election, being elected chair of the Northern Ireland Select Committee, lots of trade envoy work and the penultimate year of the Great War Centenary which, as the PM’s point man on the subject since 2011, continues to occupy a lot of my time. 2018 sees the centenary of Armistice. We will be marking it in a special way that I feel confident the public will appreciate, particularly locally, given our strong military presence.
I greatly enjoyed visiting Carers’ Support Wiltshire’s HQ in Semington having been given the honour of being appointed its Patron. Carers’ Support helps the helpers who are the underpinning of our support systems. Since I qualified from medical school in the early 80s and into my political career, I have been very much aware of how much we depend on them. It is a privilege to be involved.
This month my constituency office has been on the move. After a number of happy years in Trowbridge, then the White Horse Business Park we are now based in Heywood. The phone number for anyone wanting to contact me in 2018 remains the same – 01225 358584 and my email is andrew.murrison.mp@ parliament.uk
a peaceful and prosperous New Year to everyone I have the privilege to serve in Westbury and the surrounding villages.
