Westminster Report

BY David Burton-Sampson MP for Southend West & Leigh.
I have been busy in the constituency as we await the King’s Speech introducing the next exciting phase of this government’s programme for change.
More than 70 school children joined me at my Youth Day including pupils from Chase High School, the Eastwood Academy, Cecil Jones Academy, St Thomas More High School, The St Christopher School, Westcliff High School for Boys and members of Southend’s Youth Council.
It was a fantastic to see so many young people interested in politics and giving their views on issues that impact them. The team from Southend United Community Foundation also came and helped me judge the “Dragon’s Den” style competition we held.
The students presented their ideas on “Improved Amenities for the Young People of Southend”, “Supporting Small Businesses through engaging Young People” and “Mental Health and Well-Being for Residents of Southend”.
It was Eastwood Academy’s “Support for Neurodivergent Pupils” that won the public vote cast by everyone in the room.
The quality of the presentations was outstanding. It’s really heartening to see the standard of debate among young people and how articulate they are.”
Alex Clark, Head of at Coaching at Southend United Community Foundation and Andy Edmunds, its Head of Education, gave inspiring talks, not only about sport but tackling the challenges of life with mental resilience.
The pupils also grilled me about my path to becoming an MP and how best to deal with the forthcoming legislation on social media.
It was so good to hear the views from young people. They are the decision makers of the future and if these young people are anything to go by, we are in safe hands.
I also held our next “We love Westcliff” meeting to discuss our first Impact Day, which will be on Friday June 19th.
It will be an initiative held in collaboration with Southend City Council, Essex Police, the community and my team and will be based around a gazebo outside Westcliff library to provide information to local residents.
Specialised council officers, who can help with everything from waste to highways will be on hand to offer advice and teams of officers will patrol the area looking for hotpots. Resident groups will also be on hand to provide help and advice.
It is the first of what I am sure will be many special initiatives to put Westcliff on the map. We are putting emphasis on the “Spirit of Westcliff” and the importance of unity across communities. We recognise that Westcliff is a diverse area and its diversity is a strength.
The key areas to be covered on the day will be London Road, Hamlet Court Road and the wider Westcliff area up to Chalkwell Park.
It was also great to join residents at the St Luke’s Community Hub Friendship Group for a game of bingo. The centre operates a fantastic series of free events throughout the week for all ages across the community.
I do not have time to play bingo very often, but I enjoy it when I do. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a full house this time but I had a terrific time and thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone.
Whilst in parliament I met up with Bridget Phillipson to talk about our brilliant schools and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act, which helps keep children safe, expands free school meals and free breakfast clubs and strengthens safeguards for vulnerable children.
It’s been great spending more time in the constituency before the next parliamentary session and I look forward to delivering on the new set of Bills setting out our policy priorities for a brighter future.
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