The unopposed election of Rishi Sunak as Conservative Party Leader and our next Prime Minister is an important and positive step forward, as we deal with the economic uncertainty that affects all of us.
We are heading into a challenging winter, with rising prices, and economic headwinds that need to be dealt with, and Rishi Sunak is best placed to deal with these big issues.
He was the man who did what it took to get us through the Covid crisis, by supporting businesses and jobs, and I am confident that he will, with a united team, be able to deliver again for the people of our country.
I met our new Prime Minister yesterday, and following our meeting, at my request, I wrote to tender my resignation from Government.
It has been a huge honour to serve four Prime Ministers on the front bench for seven and a half years, most latterly as Secretary of State for Wales.
At the Wales Office, I was able to make significant progress on the Government’s Levelling Up agenda, launching the Welsh Freeports bidding process and continuing the rollout of the Welsh Prosperity Fund.
The new Prime Minister can be assured of my support from the backbenches, as we deal with the economic and security crisis that faces us.
We have now come together to continue to deliver our 2019 Manifesto and to ensure that our country emerges stronger from the storms that beset us. Local residents can also be assured of my continued strong support here in South Swindon as always.
Last Friday, I was pleased to visit two excellent local pubs here in South Swindon as part of my ‘Swindon’s Favourite Pub Competition’.
First stop was the Plough on the Hill in Badbury, a very popular pub with visitors to our area, as well as locals. I had a drink and a bite to eat, and there was a lovely atmosphere inside. Why not try it out? It is one of our excellent range of pubs here in Swindon.
It was also great to be back at the Sun Inn at Coate on Friday, which has been a favourite pub of mine for many years. I have been coming here with my family over the past few years, and it is another pub shortlisted in my competition, which we are lucky to have here in the town. I have many happy memories associated with The Sun Inn.
Over the next few weeks, I will be thinking carefully about all of the excellent local pubs I have visited here in Swindon as part of my competition, as well as taking a look at the straw poll and making a decision on the winner, which is going to be extremely difficult! If you haven’t voted for your favourite pub already, you can do this by visiting https://strawpoll.com/polls/GeZANJEdJyV
My pub competition is part of my ongoing Local Business Support Campaign, and I regularly visit, support, and showcase all local independent businesses here in South Swindon, so if you run a local independent business and would like to be part of this campaign, please get in touch by emailing [email protected] or ringing 01793 533393
As part of my ongoing work to raise awareness about Dementia here in South Swindon, I am calling on local residents, local businesses, charities, schools, colleges, and all local community groups to take part in “Elf Day” https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/elf-day
Each year, Elf Day raises money and awareness for the Alzheimer's Society, a national care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers.
More than half of the UK public knows someone who has been diagnosed with Dementia, and here in Swindon, there are estimated to be over 2,200 people with the condition.
If you decide to hold a fundraising event, please get in touch and let me know so that I can help you to promote the event locally.
Finally, my local Charity of the Week is Gateway Church Swindon, who I recently visited, along with a member of the Swindon Borough Council Livewell Team, at The Trinity Centre in Westlea. This excellent Christian charity gives support to those most in need in and around Swindon. They have helped hundreds of households here in the town through their furniture project, by providing good quality second-hand furniture, domestic appliances, and home starter items to help people build a home.
I was pleased to help strengthen the link between this excellent local charity and the Livewell Team at Swindon Borough Council, and I am sure we will see further evidence of their joint work here in the town, to support our most vulnerable residents.
