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As Christmas approaches, it is a time for celebration, thanks and reflection.
I hope each of us has many reasons to celebrate with our family and friends this year. As we see on our television screens every night, there are others in the world who are much less fortunate and Christmas is the time to remember this.
There are many things for which I will give thanks this Christmas. In particular, I would like to thank all those who work hard over Christmas and the New Year to keep us safe and well, including the emergency services, LIVES, carers and, of course, the armed forces.
There is much to reflect upon this Christmas. We have big decisions to make in 2017. I hope that we can do so in a peaceful and polite climate.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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November is the month of remembrance, when we commemorate those who have fought for our freedom and thank those who are currently serving in the armed forces. This year I attended the service at Coningsby and was pleased to see so many people paying their respects, including lots of children. It is important we pass on this great tradition to the next generation.
I would like to thank everyone who laid wreathes on my behalf at the services in Louth, Horncastle, Alford, Mablethorpe and Woodhall Spa. I intend to visit the different services of remembrance across the constituency over the coming years.
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Rural broadband was my first campaign as a newly-selected candidate and it continues to be the focus of my attention because it is so important in modern-day life.
I am hosting a Broadband Summit on Friday 20th January, similar to my Flood Forums, providing residents with the chance to question industry experts and find solutions. Please email me at victoria@victoriaatkins.org.uk if you would like to attend.
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In my role as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Home Office, it was a pleasure to invite the Rt Hon Brandon Lewis MP, Minister of State for Policing & the Fire Service, to the constituency earlier this month. The Minister met farmers, councillors and police officers to discuss the response to rural crime, including illegal hare coursing, theft and policy funding. He will give these matters his close attention.
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In Westminster, I led a delegation to meet the Minister for Transport to discuss the traffic jams caused by the Bull Ring Bottleneck in Horncastle. This was a first step in finding a solution to the awful traffic congestion that blights constituents' lives in the summer.
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The digital world is an integral part of our lives nowadays - and for criminals, too. The Investigatory Powers Bill on which I have worked for the last year passed into law this month. This gives the security services and law enforcement agencies the modern powers they need to keep us safe. I also worked with colleagues to insert an amendment into the Digital Economy Bill to protect children from online pornography.
On the subject of children's online safety, Google brought their "Internet Legends" show to Holy Trinity CE Primary School in Tattershall to teach the children how to be safe online. I was impressed to see how well the children understood the advice and that they will be teaching their parents how to be safe online, too! I have asked Google to visit other schools in the constituency to spread this positive message.
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I hold meetings regularly with the NFU and was pleased to visit a local farm this month, before an interesting discussion on current agricultural issues. A similar meeting in the summer led me to ask a question in the House of Commons about the problems constituents have had with the Rural Payments Agency. The Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, George Eustice MP, agreed to look into these cases and I hope that these issues can be resolved soon.
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I have also welcomed a number of constituents to the House of Commons for tours and to watch Prime Ministers Questions. It’s always a pleasure to meet constituents when they make the journey to Westminster. If you are interested in visiting Parliament do please get in touch with my office at victoria@victoriaatkins.org.uk
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You can contact me via email, phone call or letter, details below:
Email: Victoria@victoriaatkins.org.uk
Tel: 0207 219 5897
Address:
Victoria Atkins MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
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