Last week I visited Newton with Clifton Parish Council to launch my Parliamentary Petition regarding the Morgan & Morecambe Project. I have worked closely with the Council over recent months in campaigning against these proposals and I want to ensure the local opposition that has been so clearly voiced to me is put on the record formally.
Over the coming months I will be holding a series of sessions across Fylde to enable residents to add their name to the petition, which I will be formally presenting in the House of Commons in February.
Please keep an eye on my social media and website for updates as I will be sharing more details about how you can get involved.
On Tuesday I had an informative meeting with Lancashire based veterans, who visited Parliament to speak about mental health pathways and the improvements that can be made to help those discharged from the Army as they face the challenge of reintegrating into civilian society.
Far too many veterans experience mental health challenges, resulting in a small number taking their lives. One is too many, and I am grateful to Adam Diver and his colleagues for talking with me about how this issue has touched them, their families and those they have served with.
Support is out there, both from the MOD and military charities, but more needs to be done to encourage take up. Adam, a former welfare officer, spoke compellingly about the power that a conversation with other veterans or a serving soldiers can have in beginning the process of opening up about the challenges of returning to civilian life and accessing help. The Veteran’s Welfare Check would see this become mandatory for those discharged from the armed forces and I will be discussing with Ministers about its potential adoption.
It has been wonderful to see our high streets so busy in the run up to Christmas. Be it a Christmas evening out with colleagues or friends, or finding that special gift with a personal touch, Fylde offers it all. Small business has long been a passion of mine and I have been thrilled to meet with so many of Fylde’s best this past year. With two weeks to go until Christmas it is so important that we get out there and shop, dine or drink local.
We are seeing investment in Kirkham town centre that will deliver a better experience for shoppers and I hope to see similar investment in St Annes in future, but ultimately, it is the businesses themselves who make a high street successful. Shopping local puts money into our businesses, supporting jobs, and creating the buzzing atmosphere on our high streets that make Fylde such a wonderful place to be at this time of year.