Alex Norris MP's Weekly Newsletter

Welcome to the latest issue of my weekly newsletter. 

This week was the last full week of recess, before Parliament returns on Tuesday. But as you’ll probably know, we will not be returning for as long as we should. This issue was intended as a preview of what’s to come in the upcoming weeks, but for now, that’s been scuppered, so read on to hear my thoughts on what’s going on as well as what I’ve been up to in the constituency this week. 

Read on to find out more...

As I’ve said before, I will strive to send you a newsletter like this each Friday to keep you updated on the work I’m doing in Parliament as well as in our community, and to inform you of any interesting events taking place in our area. To help me with the latter, if you are running or know of anything that you think may be of interest to others, feel free to drop me an email at alex.norris.mp@parliament.uk and I will include it in future issues. Please also forward it onto anyone you think may be interested. 

Prorogation of Parliament

I’ve received many emails from constituents since the Prime Minister asked the Queen to prorogue (or suspend) Parliament this week. They’ve almost all agreed that this is a disgrace.

Whichever way people voted, to Leave or Remain, no-one voted for the shutdown of democracy.

That is why the public outrage at his actions has been so deafening, and why I will be down in London from next week opposing this shutdown and the Prime Minister’s threat of a No Deal Brexit however I can.

The longest parliamentary shutdown in recent history comes at a critical moment and shows that we not only have a Prime Minister without a mandate from the public, but one who is now running scared of scrutiny.

If the Prime Minister truly has confidence in his plans, he should put them to the people in a general election or through a public vote.

I’ll be at the protest on Saturday morning at 11am at the Brian Clough Statue making my views very clear.

This Week

This week hasn’t been quite as busy as the previous two, which were absolutely jam-packed, as I’ve begun to prepare for my return to Parliament, but there’s still been lots on, and here’s what I’ve been up to in Nottingham North: 

• After Monday’s bank holiday, Tuesday began with casework – as I took a number of phone calls with constituents and met with an employer who believe they are being unfairly treated within a Government scheme. I’ll be acting on that to reach the just outcome. 
• After that, I made my way to Tesco Extra in Bulwell for my latest roving surgery. We had lots and lots of conversations covering amongst other things: Brexit, abortion, crime and grime, noise, housing and, of course, Forest-Derby which took place that evening. And what a win that was... 
• On Wednesday I caught up with Nottingham City Councillor Neghat Khan, who is the Portfolio Holder for Early Years, Education and Employment. Obviously this area is one of Rebalancing’s key focuses, and it was great to discuss how we can get the best for Nottingham North by working together on this. 
• Later on, I met with Cleon from the Marcus Garvey Action Group about community day care funding. 
• Yesterday, my day began with a busy morning down at the Fair at Bilborough Market. I was joined there by the ward Councillors, giving folk a chance to talk about their community, sharing a broad range of views on markets, housing, shops healthcare and more. 
• This morning, I joined DVSA workers represented by PCS who were striking as a long-running battle over longer working hours, working practices and restructures continues. I fully support their plight and hope to see an end to their unfair treatment soon. 
• Since then, I’ve met with Alison Michalska, Nottingham City Council's Corporate Director for Children and Adults, who will sadly be retiring this year, and Chris Cook, Chair of the Nottingham City Safeguarding Children Board, to discuss Nottingham’s involvement with the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

Big Tent Event

This September, through Rebalancing the Outer Estates, I will be hosting a Big Tent Event at Bulwell Riverside, giving organisations, charities and community groups who work in Nottingham North and the wider area the opportunity to celebrate the great work that is already going on across the constituency, and give them all a say in where we go next!

So, if you represent one of these, please sign up for a free place on Friday 20th September by emailing info@rebalancingouterestates.com.

Don’t miss out! More information can be found below.

Summer Survey

As we head into the summer Parliamentary recess, I'm looking forward to spending much more time in the constituency.  

While I’m there, one thing I will be doing, is asking you to have your say.

Like I did last year, I'm therefore running a survey so that I can hear your views about some of the work I've been doing in Parliament and across the constituency as your local MP. I'd also like to hear about your political priorities for the year ahead to help inform my work in the coming weeks and months.

Please complete the survey by visiting the link below. 

www.NottmNorthSurvey.com

I look forward to reading what you have to say. Thank you!

Looking Ahead to Next Week

Next week is the last full week of recess – it goes so quick, and my week’s a little quieter after a few hectic weeks, so the newsletter will include a preview of what’s to come when Parliament returns in addition to what I’m up to in Nottingham.

What's On

I want these emails to be as interesting as possible. That means there’ll be some politics – it’s important that I am held accountable. But I also want to offer information about what’s on locally. So, if you have an event you’d like me to advertise, let me know.

If you would like your events advertised here, or further information on those advertised, please email me at alex.norris.mp@parliament.uk.

That’s all for now! Details of how to get in touch or to have a look at the things I’m doing are below…

All the best,

Alex