Dear All,
After a week which has seen storms of the political and weather variety it is time for my latest update.
My week started with a meeting on the B word……buses. As mentioned in last week’s update the Torbay Community Development Trust will be withdrawing its 60\65 services on Saturday 8
th December. This will leave many isolated who depend on it as a vital link not just for shopping, but access to a range of local services.
I visited residents in Babbacombe (Top left) to discuss this, along with the problems which have made the 65 an unreliable service. We examined possible solutions and what needs those who use the service have, more on this story below.
Afterwards, I held one of my weekly surgeries, where I meet residents who need my help to deal with a variety of personal problems. It is a reality check after a week in the Westminster bubble to get back and help my constituents with the problems affecting their lives.
On Sunday I was pleased to be asked to give a reading at the Rowcroft “Light up a Life” service at St Matthias, Torquay. The annual service is a chance to remember the light a life brought and how it lives on in the memories of those who knew them. The Hospice
Monday saw me head up to Westminster for a week full of debates ranging from the Centenary of the RAF to the attacks on Christians in North Nigeria. More on these below.
Links with our neighbouring county are important to Torbay’s success and on Wednesday the Leader of Devon County Council, John Hart, was in Westminster to meet with the County’s MPs (Top Right) about a range of issues. I have known John for 20 years so we always make a point to catch up when he is in Parliament about issues affecting our areas.
Yesterday afternoon I returned to the bay in time for the South Devon Tourism Awards organised by the Herald Express. It was a great evening celebrating local businesses and the wider industry. I was pleased to present the award (Bottom Left) for Social Responsibility & Sustainable Tourism to Paignton Zoo and Living Coats.
Today has been a full day of constituency visits. It is sometimes easy to forget whilst MPs are dealing with major nation issues, many people getting in touch are concerned about more day to day issues.
I started by meeting a local fireman Doug Gerring, (Bottom Right) who is raising money to provide a Community Defibrillator to be situated outside Winners 200 Gym in Torquay. I am pleased to support his efforts to raise funds for this vital piece of equipment which can save lives. At 2pm on Sunday 16
th December there is a chance to try out what is involved in the Firefighter Fitness Test, in aid of this appeal, at the Gym.
I then visited St Cuthbert Mayne School for their celebration of the Patronal Feast of St Cuthbert Mayne. It was brilliant to see education and pastoral care working hand in glove for the benefit of our local children, with a superb service led by Fr Nathan.
It was then on to Sherwell Valley Primary School to meet and talk with Year 6 students. Whilst several questions from the students related to Brexit, one student raised the impact on the Football transfer market, rather than the stock market.
This week’s update is below and includes:
Brexit, French Fishing Question, Dreadnought Refits, Russia V Ukraine, Alice’s Army, RAF 100, Last Post For Santa, Christians in Northern Nigeria, Cross Party Meeting on 60\65, £15,000 Drug Bust in Hele, Kev’s Column: Mental Health Funding and finally……..You don’t see the Police On Patrol.
Brexit
Before starting my usual round up of the week’s news I thought it would be worth mentioning I have now received a significant amount of correspondence regarding the votes which will take place on 11
th December.
It is great to see so many engaging in this debate, except for a small number who decided their arguments were so weak they had to use abusive language or insult my staff to make them. Given the volume of correspondence received I will sadly not be able to respond in detail to every single comment made in each letter.
The views expressed have varied with every possible option being argued for, from leaving under WTO terms to trying to remain, with lots in between.
Whilst the media is talking about a single vote it has now been confirmed there will be up to 6 amendments voted on (11th December). These include several being supported by MPs on both sides of the house. This means up to 7 votes may take place.
Parliamentary Procedure means if any of these amendments succeed, they would become the substantive decision and further votes, including the one on the substantive motion tabled by the Prime Minister which would be taken last, would not take place.
I am reading the final document, speaking with colleagues and will be meeting the Chief Minister of Gibraltar on Wednesday before confirming my (likely) votes on each amendment and the substantive. MPs will not know exactly which amendments we will vote on until the Speaker has announced his selection. The Speaker is not required to give any reasons for his decisions on which he does or does not select. Anyone who claims they can predict exactly what will happen is more likely to be making an educated guess.
Finally you can read the documents for yourself, which were finalised last weekend, by clicking
here.
French Fishing Question,
The future of our fishing industry has been at the heart of the Brexit debate and there was a French feel to the question I asked in parliament yesterday.
Given the threat by Emmanuel Macron to use France’s veto on a future trading relationship with the UK to force the use of the NI Backstop I checked what this would mean. The NI Backstop covers customs arrangements but does not include the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) given this is irrelevant to keeping a land border open for obvious reasons. Hence if the French veto was used as threatened their Fishing vessels would lose all their current rights to access UK waters under the CFP, making this threat ring hollow.
I had the chance to raise this at DEFRA Questions yesterday and Michael Gove decided it would be good to send a message to the French President in his native language. You can listen to the exchange by clicking
here.
Dreadnought Refits,
Questions to Defence Ministers took place on Monday and this provided a chance to push the case for the next generation of Britain’s deterrent Submarines to be refitted in Devonport.
The Dreadnought Class will replace the Vanguard Class over the next decade, carrying the United Kingdom’s ultimate deterrent against the most extreme threats our nation and its allies might face. Since the 1990’s HMS Vanguard and her sister boats have been refitted at Devonport, bringing large amounts of investment and employment into South Devon.
Given the importance of securing this work well into the middle of this century Plymouth’s Labour MP Luke Pollard and I pushed the case for Devonport with Ministers. You can listen to my question, plus Luke’s which followed, by clicking
here.
Russia V Ukraine,
Clashes between Russian and Ukrainian Naval Forces near the Crimean Peninsula have raised the worrying prospect of further escalation in a conflict which has already seen the loss of 10,000 lives.
Russian forces opened fire on three Ukrainian vessels before seizing them, causing injuries to some of the crew. The waterway through the Sea of Azov is a vital route to key Ukrainian Ports which Russia is seeking to restrict.
The prospect of a more general escalation of this conflict is all too clear, yet my concern is this presents a further example of Vladimir Putin slowly raising the temperature and seeing what he can get away with. The precedents of history for such actions are frightening, with worrying similarities to the situation just over a century ago.
I questioned what work would be done with allies to make clear further escalation would not be tolerated. You can read my question and the Minister’s response by clicking
here.
Alice’s Army,
The death of local teenager Alice Sloman whilst under anaesthesia for an MRI Scan was a tragedy and having recently met her parents, I raised their campaign in Parliament this week.
Given the ongoing investigations into what happened I cannot go into details, but a key issue raised is whether heart checks should be standard practice before administering anaesthetic. The Minister responsible agreed to a meeting to discuss this further.
You can listen to my question and the Minister’s reply by clicking
here.
RAF 100,
2018 marks the centenary of the Royal Air Force’s Foundation, the only armed service to be created by an act of parliament.
To mark the service and sacrifice of all those who have served in the RAF a debate was held in parliament on Monday. I took the chance to reflect on the achievements of the RAF and what the future may hold, plus pay tribute to those who support the RAF Family locally.
You can listen to my speech by clicking
here.
Last Post For Santa,
Christmas is getting nearer and at the North Pole Santa’s team is working flat out to get this year’s Sleigh full of presents ready for the big day.
Given final preparations are about to be made Santa has asked his friends at Royal Mail to remind everyone to get their letter off to him straight away if hoping to find something special under the Christmas Tree. Whilst he cannot promise to deliver every gift request, he will try his best.
You or a younger friend can send your letter to:
Santa’s Grotto,
Reindeerland,
XM4 5MQ
Just remember to use a stamp and ensure your return address is included.
I am advised the last posting day for Reindeerland is Friday 7th December.
Christians in Northern Nigeria,
Being able to choose your faith or to have none is a right many of us take for granted here in the UK yet is something many across the world do not enjoy.
Christians in Northern Nigeria face regular harassment and violence aimed at driving them off their land. This week a debate took place in Parliament highlighting their plight and what can be done to assist them.
You can read my speech in it by clicking
here.
Cross Party Meeting on 60\65,
Earlier this evening I arranged a meeting with a cross-party group of Councillors to discuss the situation with the 60 and 65 Bus Services.
As reported in recent updates the services are due to end on Saturday 8
th December, yet the 65 has become so unreliable it has frequently not been running in recent weeks. I am advised an alternative operator has expressed an interest in taking over a large part of the 60 route, but as of yet no further details are available.
During the meeting a range of issues were discussed, with a general agreement any replacement solution for those who depend on the 65 service must rebuild confidence in its reliability. Options based on other transport solutions, such as Totnes’ Bob The Bus Service, were highlighted during our meeting.
£15,000 Drug Bust in Hele,
Police cracking down on drug dealing in our bay had a busy day this week, seizing substances believed to be cocaine, heroin, amphetamine and the discovery of a cannabis farm.
In the latest drugs swoop a large bag believed to contain cocaine with a street value of £15,000 was seized after two people were seen acting suspiciously in Hele, Torquay. This followed four Drugs warrants being executed in Paignton as part of work to crack down on those supplying drugs in our community.
It is good to hear of this latest work by our Police and the results achieved. You can read more on Devon Live by clicking here. You can read more on Devon Live by clicking
here.
Kev’s Column: Mental Health Funding
Every fortnight I write a “Kev’s Column” for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition by following the link below:
https://www.kevinjfoster.com/news/kevs-column-mental-health
and finally……..You don’t see the Police On Patrol.
Ending on a lighter note update readers may sometimes hear comments from friends about how they never see a Police Officer on Patrol in the Town Centre.
Last week a regular visitor to our bay decided to have a night out with her friends visiting a number of pubs, bars and local hang out places. Yet as PD (Police Dog) Jet headed into another nightspot with her friends, one man stood opposite decided to tell the person next to him that "I'd best not go in there, there's old bill all over the place and I've got Cocaine in my pocket". The person stood next to him? A plain clothes Police Officer!
Funnily enough this gent was detained and searched, with drugs found on him! He really did not see the Police on patrol.
That is all for this week and enjoy your weekend.
Best Wishes,
Kevin
