Westminster Report

BY David Burton-Sampson MP for Southend West & Leigh.

I HAVE just returned from an exciting visit to the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, visiting the city for the first get together since we won the General Election this summer in which I had the privilege to be elected as your MP for Southend and Leigh.

 There was a real determination to change lives for the better and I pledge to work hard to achieve that in Southend and Leigh.

 The message across conference was how we will make your lives better by growing the economy leaving more money in your pocket, building the infrastructure we need, switching to clean energy and mending our public services. These themes were underlined by Keir Starmer in the first conference speech by a Labour Prime Minister for 15 years!

 Many residents wrote to me requesting that I visit various organisations to find out more about them at conference. I am pleased to confirm that I met with British Heart Foundation, Marie Curie, RNIB, Crisis, Dementia UK, Guide Dogs, The Association of Convenience Stores, Sense, Usdaw to discuss their campaign for Freedom from Fear for retail workers and the TUC to discuss Labours New Deal for Working People.

 I also chaired a panel debate discussing expanding Open Banking, hosted a dinner for on behalf of SME4Labour to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing businesses today, took part in a panel debate discussing how we are going to ensure that our education and skills system will help develop young people to meet the needs of local employers, and finally I championed inclusion during a speech at the Diversity Reception on the final evening of conference.

 Back on home turf, I have been busy in the constituency. At West Leigh Baptist Church I witnessed the amazing work they do, particularly with elderly people, at the Parish Nurse session and activity centre. I also met the Volunteering Matters team. They offer two fantastic local support programmes helping young people from challenging backgrounds and their families.

 I opened the impressive, newly refurbished premises of the Southend Estuary Scouts District Headquarters and I visited Age UK to see the fantastic facilities at their two premises on Hamlet Court Road. I got to see the great work they do when I went to meet with some of the residents using their community hub, who come from all over Southend.

 It was a pleasure to join Bayo Alaba MP to meet with the new District Commander for Essex Police – Southend District, David Browning.

 We will continue to meet regularly as we work together to tackle the challenges we face locally. I would encourage all residents to sign up to DISPATCH, the new weekly newsletter issued from Essex Police by district.

Details: essex.police.uk/police-forces/essex-police/areas/essex-police/au/about-us/dispatch/?utm_source=qrcode&utm_medium=postcard&utm_campaign=dispatch.

 Before Parliament moved into recess, I heard from the A127 Engagement Group and discussed potential future improvement work on that key transport link before learning more about Labour’s Renters Reform Bill, that will help strengthen the rights of tenants in Southend.

 I spoke in a debate about fraud detailing how people here were affected by an Inflatable Family Fun Day scam in the summer, as well as outlining the growing numbers of people worryingly finding themselves being drawn in to mortgage fraud to gain the finance they need.

 A question I posed to the DEFRA team in the House Commons over the quality of the water and sewage levels in our estuary brought the response that ministers will be fighting over the opportunity to visit our beautiful constituency!

 I hope they do and will endorse our forthcoming Water Quality Summits as a blueprint for the future.

 The Sir David Amess Adjournment Debate was the final session in the House of Commons before recess. Many moving tributes were paid to him, and I added my contribution on your behalf in the chamber.

 Just before making the journey up to Conference, I really enjoyed joining Mayor Ron Woodley presenting certificates to hard working members of the Southend Citizens Advice Bureau. They were celebrating 85 years of hard work here, which is quite incredible. Their teams have helped innumerable people over this time, and they continue their highly valued work today.

 It was a fantastic celebration of their dedication. Many thanks for all the support they provide. They are an example to us all!

 As always, we are here to support you. Please contact my office if you need any help by emailing [email protected] or by calling us on 0207 219 7745.

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