Callum’s Catch Up 14.04.25
Saving our steel
As you may have spotted, it’s been an unusual week for MPs, with Parliament being urgently recalled on Saturday so that we could vote to save our steel and support the communities who rely on it.
You can read here why we have taken this emergency measure, and I’d like to remind readers that whilst the Scunthorpe blast furnaces may seem far away geographically - they are of critical importance to us locally. We need a reliable, sovereign supply of British steel, and jobs and infrastructure in our area depend on it.
Our Government has consistently shown that we will will always do what is necessary to keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad, and I was proud to vote to maximise chances of securing domestic steel production.
Closer to home, I am so excited that a new Universal Studios theme park is coming to Bedford, which will create thousands of high-quality jobs for local people. Read more about it here, and I’m looking forward to seeing spades in the ground and to (eventually) go on the rides!
Elsewhere this week I have co-written a letter with 36 Labour MP colleagues to the UK’s biggest housing developers asking what steps they’re taking to make sure new housing estates, roads, green spaces and other shared amenities are properly adopted by local councils. I’ve heard from dozens of constituents that they are trapped in unfair, unaccountable ‘fleecehold’ arrangements, and this must come to an end. Here is the letter in full.
And last but not least, I’d like to remind readers that my waterway survey is open until next Tuesday. Every submission will be passed on to the Independent Water Commission, so please do fill in this form to share your views on what we need to do to clean up our rivers, streams, and brooks.
In the meantime, Happy Easter everyone. With Parliament in recess, I’ll be spending my time right here in the constituency listening to your views and meeting local communities. If there is anything I can do to help you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via email.
Local visits
Last week in the constituency I:
Chatted to voters across Buckingham with our brilliant local councillors Robin, Lucy, and Fran. I also canvassed with Josh, who is campaigning to be elected as a Labour councillor in Winslow.
Dropped by Padbury Meats Butchers, and spoke about what what more we can do to help local businesses. And obviously I bought some grabbed some sausages and burgers for a BBQ - which were delicious by the way.
Held a constituency advice surgery in Stewkley, with issues relating to the NHS, housing and crime being recurrent themes.
