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Welcome to the latest issue of my weekly newsletter.
We have yet another newsletter which begins with Brexit, and this one is the most important yet. While the votes on Tuesday and Wednesday dominated the week, it didn’t quite take up all my time in Westminster, and I’ve had another busy day in Nottingham today too.
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.
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This week was the big test for Theresa May and the Brexit deal she’s spent two years negotiating, and it’s safe to say it has failed.
After waiting since before Christmas, we finally had the meaningful vote on the deal on Tuesday evening. You’ll already know that the Government’s defeat was the largest of any government in British history.
This was no surprise given the nature of the deal:
- It would rule out a permanent customs union with a British say, which would be vital to support businesses, jobs and the manufacturing supply chains they depend on
- It would not deliver a good deal on services and would limit access for British businesses to vital EU markets
- It would weaken workers’ rights, consumer protections and environmental standards.
- It would provide no guarantee that the UK will continue equivalent arrangements with key EU programmes and agencies
- It could lead to a weakening of our security involvement and gives no certainty the UK will remain part of common EU arrangements such as the European Arrest Warrant
- The lack of clarity in the political declaration and the absence of a credible solution to avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland makes it highly likely that the backstop will be implemented – which would have serious implications
On Monday I made these arguments against the deal in Parliament, which you can watch in full on my Facebook page here.
A no-deal Brexit would also be a disaster for jobs, the economy and the border in Northern Ireland. It is simply not a viable option and must be avoided. Labour has set out an alternative plan for a sensible Brexit that would bring parliament and the country together.
It is not only on Brexit where this government has failed. The Tories stand only for the privileged few, presiding over rising poverty and squeezing living standards.
Under the Tories homelessness has risen every single year. Our NHS is in crisis, with patients waiting for hours in overcrowded A&Es, waiting lists rising and hospitals facing huge financial problems. Education funding has been cut by £7 billion, and there are 21,000 fewer police officers on our streets.
Theresa May’s government has clearly lost the confidence of parliament and the country on her flagship policy. That’s why Jeremy Corbyn tabled a motion of no confidence in her government following the vote on Tuesday. This was debated on Wednesday, but despite six hours of bobbing in the House of Commons, I wasn’t given the opportunity to speak and outline my lack of confidence in the Government.
Unfortunately, despite 118 Conservative MPs voting against the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal, they are absurdly not yet prepared to give Labour a chance to negotiate a better deal, and the vote lost.
The Prime Minister must now rule out a No-Deal Brexit, reconsider her red lines and reach out across the House to deliver a deal that Parliament can vote for. Unfortunately, early signs have not been good, but I will keep campaigning until this happens.
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After a busy day in Parliament on Thursday finished, I was immediately on my way to the Nottingham Mechanics for the evening, before a busy day in the constituency on today. Here’s what I got up to:
- My reason for visiting Nottingham Mechanics was to sit on an Education Roundtable hosted by the Nottingham branch of the National Education Union (NEU). I was delighted to see a good turnout of teachers, school support staff and parents and carers to discuss current funding issues within education with me and the rest of the panel, which included Cllr. Neghat Khan, who is the Education Portfolio Holder, and Kiri Tunks, the NEU President.
- This morning, I welcomed Paul Gibson from Northern College in Barnsley to Nottingham North to discuss education opportunities for victims Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery. Northern College is an adult residential college, where Paul is a Tutor Manager.
- It was then off to Ellis Guilford School, to see one of Google’s ‘Be Internet Citizens’ workshops in action here in Nottingham North. The programme is focused on encouraging young people to have a positive voice online and includes teaching them an understanding of the differences between free speech, hate speech and fake news, all of which is very interesting and more important than ever!
- Mike Watkinson & Michael Weedon from the Federation of Small Businesses then visited the office for a discussion on the opportunities and challenges facing small businesses in Nottingham North, and the work the FSB is doing all over the country to support them.
- I then finished the day with a chat with Sean Meehan from Public Health England about the support they can offer my Rebalancing charity.
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Of course, Brexit did dominate the week, but here’s how I spent the remainder of my time in Westminster this week:
- I sat on a Bill Committee for the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill, a piece of health-related legislation related to the procedures when a person may be deprived of liberty where the person lacks capacity to consent. Unfortunately, this Bill has been rushed through Parliament without proper consultation as part of a cost-cutting exercise and could leave vulnerable people without rights. I urged the Committee to amend the Bill so that those affected, with dementia and other similar conditions, can be safeguarded.
- I continued discussions regarding Park Vale Academy planning from Parliament, but I’ll soon be arranging a meeting between the school, the Council and residents.
- And as I mentioned, I raised the Lung Scans which the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation has delivered with support from the NHS and my Rebalancing Foundation. The Scans have recently been extended from Bulwell to Aspley, Bilborough and Strelley, and I asked the Leader of the House if we could have a debate on Lung Health and how these scans can help save lives. You can watch that here.
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Looking ahead to next week
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Brexit isn’t going away, and the Prime Minister will be presenting her ‘Plan B’ deal, while I’ll also be continuing my work on the Mental Capacity (amendment) Bill and having a number of important meetings in Nottingham on Friday, before finishing the day with a surgery. Get in touch with my office if you’d like to come discuss any issues with me at the next one!
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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
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Arts Partnership Lab
Wednesday 13 February 2019, 10am-3pm
The Space, Nottingham Contemporary
Is it important to you that more people have opportunities, throughout their life, to enjoy arts and culture and take advantage of what Nottingham's arts organisations have to offer?
Book your place via eventbrite for this inspiring day, combining creativity, curiosity and community! Artists and community groups will be sharing their needs and requests, with a mixture of short presentations and practical activities. Join us on the final day of UK Young Artists City Takeover and the first day of Nottingham's Festival of Science and Curiosity! Book now here: Arts Partnership Lab
More info: Cathy Mahmood, Creative Nottingham North Coordinator, 07808 165209
cathy.mahmood@rebalancingouterestates.com
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Joining Blind Veterans
Have you served in the Armed Forces? In the UK Regular Armed Forces, including National Service.
Or UK Reserved Armed Forces. Reservists must have completed one year’s satisfactory service following training (or qualified for Bounty) or a lesser period if blinded on duty.
Or Polish/Indian Forces under British Command or Merchant Navy deployed within a combat zone in direct support of UK military forces.
And
You have significant sight loss- visual acuities worse than 6/60 in both eyes or struggle to see top letter of the eye chart. Optician or eye clinic to confirm.
If you meet our criteria for sight loss you can get free support. Help in the form, of Rehabilitation, training, peer support, grants, Sports and recreation.
We also run local social groups in Nottingham.
Please contact 0800 389 7979 for an application form. We can complete the form by telephone too, you will need your service record details. If you want to discuss further ring Mary James, Community Team Leader on 0114 2127612
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University of Nottingham Winter Community Newsletter
Click here.
New Wellbeing/Self-Help Group
An opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, and help you build up confidence and self-esteem.
Identify areas of your own wellbeing - physically & mentally.
Referral support to other services & support.
Friendly & comfortable environment, with no pressure to talk.
Hosted in the West Room, St Mary’s the Virgin & All Souls Church, Highbury Road, Bulwell, NG6 9AD.
For further info: fay.goodhand@icloud.com
Drop in Café
All welcome for a free cuppa and biscuit, and a place to sit and have a chat
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parish Community Centre, Brooklyn Rd, Bulwell NG6 9ES
Thursdays, 9:30am–12:30pm
Messy Church
Drinks, crafts, activities, bible stories and a meal for all ages and interests
Bulwell United Reformed Church, Broomhill Road/Brooklyn Road, Bulwell
Usually first Saturday of every month, 10:30am-12:30pm
Bestwood Park Church’s Bestop Kitchen
Social Eating Event, Donations Welcome
Bestwood Park Church, Beckhampton Road, NG5 5NG
Every Tuesday, 12-2pm
Whiz Kids Junior Church
Free breakfast, arts & crafts for children aged 5ish – 11ish
St Mary the Virgin & All Souls Parish Church, Highbury Road, Bulwell
Every Sunday, 9:30am
Crafty Ladies
Bring along a project, or learn to do something new.
St Martins Church, St Martin’s Rd, Off Strelley Rd, Bilborough, NG8 3BH
Every Wednesday, 11am – 2pm
50p, for further info: www.stmartinsbilborough.org.uk, info@stmartinsbilborough.uk
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Messy Church
All welcome – food, fun, arts & crafts, & God slot
St Mary the Virgin & All Souls Parish Church, Highbury Road, Bulwell
2nd Sunday every month
Athlete Accelerator
Khian Mility is helping young athletes reach their potential, with the goal of obtaining US College Sports Scholarships. For further information please visit his website.
https://www.theathleteaccelerator.com
Whiz Kids
Special breakfast, followed by stories, games, crafts & fun!
St Mary the Virgin & All Souls Parish Church, Highbury Road, Bulwell
Sundays, 9.30-11.15am
For more info contact Kerry Palmer - 0115 953 1780 or by email.
Messy Church Bestwood/Bulwell Forest
Bestwood Park Church, Beckhampton Rd, Bestwood Park
Various Thursdays, 4:30-6pm
Church on Rise Park, Revelstoke Way, Rise Park
Various Thursdays, 5-6:30pm
Free Community Cinema
Free screenings of films, everyone welcome!
St John’s Church, Key’s Close, Bulwell
2nd Friday every month, 7pm
Bulwell Connectors
Free monthly group developing opportunities for more art in public places in Bulwell. With trips to galleries and hands-on creative workshops, this group is for local people who want to be arts champions for Bulwell. Facilitated by Nottingham Contemporary associate artist Gillian Brent
Bulwell Riverside, Community Room 2
2nd Tuesday every month, 6-8pm
For further info: www.creativenottinghamnorth.com, @CreativeNNorth, cathy.mahmood@rebalancingouterestates.com
Crochet Clinic
Community Room at Tesco Bulwell, Jennison St, NG6 8EQ (upstairs near the cafe)
First Wednesday of every month, 6:30pm–8:30pm
£5 (covers refreshments and materials)
For further info: www.apriltowriess.co.uk, hello@apriltowriess.co.uk
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