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Chris Heaton-Harris MP's
Westminster Report:
October 2019
Well there you have it - we finally have a General Election!

 I hope to see you on the doorstep at some point over the next few weeks as I make my way around the constituency to meet and chat with as many residents as possible as I seek the privilege of continuing to represent the brilliant folk of Daventry.

Obviously there is loads happening in the world of politics at the moment but there has also been just as much happening locally. In this month's Westminster report I cover everything from a very encouraging UNO Bus update to Taste of Northamptonshire. 

One piece of housekeeping, as of Wednesday at 12.01am, when Parliament dissolves, I will no longer be the Member of Parliament for Daventry, I become the Conservative candidate for Daventry. In light of this, emails to chris.heatonharris.mp@parliament.uk will be received and in all likelihood read however I can only respond to urgent cases up until after December's General Election.
CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS

I thought I would start this month's Westminster Report by chatting a little about what I have been trying to do over the last two and a bit years, since the last General Election, to bang the drum for 'Daventry'. 

I've been doing some maths and I have worked out that since the last General Election I have received just under 4,000 pieces of correspondence from constituents and sent just under 4,000 in response. 

When I am not in Westminster, I spend as much time as I can ‘buzzing’ around the constituency meeting as many residents, community groups, schools and charities as possible. This allows me to find out what is actually going on in my constituency and find issues that can be taken up with the appropriate authorities locally or at Westminster.

Although I have found I must now split more of my time between my Ministerial duties in the Department for Transport and my constituency duties I have found the time to hold 19 coffee mornings, speak at 17 schools and meet with 200 constituents one to one.

I am perhaps most proud  that I have hosted 35 young people for work experience in Westminster office. It is always great for students to see the inner workings of Parliament.

If re-elected I plan on continuing to represent the people of Daventry to the best of my ability here in Westminster.
A couple of weeks ago I appeared for the first time at the Despatch Box as Minister of State at the Department of Transport. How do you think I got on?
NORTHAMPTON TO MARKET HARBOROUGH TRAIN LINE

Recently I have been hearing a great deal from concerned constituents regarding the potential idea to reopen the Northampton to Market Harborough train line.

This is part of the new West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan, which was recently published for consultation jointly by Daventry District Council, Northampton Borough Council and South Northamptonshire Council. The proposal is in the plan as an aspiration of that group - but it is only an aspiration.

Currently, as Rail Minister, I am not aware of any plans to re-open this line; this is not a scheme that is currently being considered for funding through The Department for Transport’s (DfT) development pipeline.
 
The old line is currently used as a cycle path (the Brampton Valley Way) and is, I believe, part of the Sustrans network. There is an excellent heritage railway on part of the old line and it is well used by cyclists and walkers alike.
 
Since the route was closed there has been housing and retail development at the Market Harborough end that may well be a barrier to any re-opening of the line in terms of connection to the Midland Main Line at Market Harborough.
 
It would also be necessary to consider how valuable track capacity on the busy two section Midland Main Line could accommodate any additional services (and on the West Coast Main Line at Northampton). This would necessitate study work to assess feasibility and value for money. Local stakeholders could seek to develop the proposal with Network Rail and DfT but I have asked my officials if they have and we are not aware of any proposals to develop. Any proposal would also need to consider necessary planning approvals and there are no plans for this either.
 
So both in practical terms and in operational terms there are no concrete proposals and they would take years to develop and bring forward - and would need the active support of local residents to get through the planning process locally.
MOVEMBER

Good people of ‘Daventry’, I mustache you for a favour.

This November, the boys in my office have picked up their razors and are taking on the ‘tache for a good cause.

Many of you will already be aware of the charity they’re raising money for. Movember is a leading men’s health charity which funds initiatives all over the world and raises awareness about mental health and suicide, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Please follow the link to learn more about this fantastic charity and donate to these hard-working chaps.   

https://uk.movember.com/team/2351576?utm_medium=share&utm_source=dynamic&utm_campaign=copy-clipboard
Meet the guys trying to raise cash for Movember. From left to right: Joe, Louis and Will.

UNO BUS UPDATE

Many of you may be aware of the the demand responsive pilot bus scheme which we hope will be introduced in ‘Daventry’, run by UNO Bus. 

The pilot scheme would be centred on the village of Muscott with an operational zone of a six-mile radius.  
 
I recently arranged a meeting with Mr Tony Ciaburro, Project Director of Transport Transformation at the University of Northampton, Philip Waters, Chairman of UNO Bus and Baroness Vere of Norbiton, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State at the Department of Transport to discuss the scheme. This discussion was extremely productive.
 
The situation now is that UNO intend to set up a new company to deliver the pilot project and roll it out to other areas both home and abroad. The company is to be owned by the University of Northampton, The University of Hertfordshire and Molten Mouse (the technology provider). 
 
Mr Ciaburro informs me that they are in the process of establishing this company and are applying for a new grant from the Government to fund upfront business costs. He is hopeful that the system can be up and running in the next 6 months.

 As ever, I will continue to keep everyone updated via my website on any progress. To find out more please do visit: https://www.heatonharris.com/campaigns/local-bus-services
TASTE OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
 
Along with other Northamptonshire MPs, I was delighted to host a ‘Taste of Northamptonshire’ day in Parliament on Wednesday 23rd of October.

This was a great opportunity for local businesses to showcase the variety of food and drink that Northamptonshire has to offer. There were many treats to try, including, cheese, chutneys, chocolate, gin, and even sparkling wine!

I am pleased to say that this event was extremely well attended; Peers, MPs and staff queued out the door all afternoon.

From Daventry I welcomed Healy's of Winwick, Jelley’s Organic Vodka and New Lodge Vineyard. All their drinks were delicious, and I would highly recommend giving them a try.

Taste of Northamptonshire was a fantastic event and I hope that all the producers enjoyed their day in Parliament. They highlighted what a wonderful county Northamptonshire is and showed that the quality of the food and drink we produce is unrivalled.
 
Myself and the Cider Maker of Healy's of Winwick, Ben Healy.
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
Quiz Night – Fish and Chips supper
 
We’ll be having a Fish & Chips Quiz night at Daventry Golf Club. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet other campaigners and have a fun evening. All are welcome!
 
When: 14th November, 7pm
Where: Daventry Golf Club, Norton Road, NN11 2LS
 
Lady Morton’s Christmas Party
 
With our very special guest Sir Desmond Swayne MP, it would be great to have you all join us. There will also be an auction with a very special prize!

            When: 7th December, 7pm
Where: Flore Fields House, Brockhall Rd, Flore, NN7 4JX
 
Please continue to check the Daventry Conservatives events page for more updates and details about other events (https://www.daventryconservatives.com/events).

If you are interested in attending either of the two above events please do contact Amy Howard: agent@wnc.uk.com
Top Left: I was delighted to be guest of honour at Amazon’s largest UK roof-top solar panel installation at Daventry fulfilment centre. Top Right: Doing my bit for Breast Cancer Now’s ‘wear it pink’ campaign earlier this month here in Parliament. Bottom Left: Conservative MPs took up the challenge of playing football against a lobbying side at this year’s Tory Party Conference, unfortunately we came off worse. Bottom Right: Officially opening the redeveloped Red Lion Certas Energy Bunker Site in the constituency.
CHRIS' JOKE OF THE MONTH
“I had a pet mouse named Elvis, but he was caught in a trap!” 
www.facebook.com/chhcalling www.facebook.com/chhcalling
@chhcalling @chhcalling
chris@heatonharris.com chris@heatonharris.com

Please Note: Due to the number of constituents this email is sent to, responses directly to this email will have their contents noted. For specific casework queries, please use my Parliamentary email address, as listed above.

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Chris Heaton-Harris MP · House of Commons · London, SW1A 0AA · United Kingdom

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