Most of my time as an MP is spent working on projects to help our area and dealing with constituency issues for residents of Blyth Valley. I also have a role as a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) in the Ministry of Defence led by Ben Wallace, Secretary of State for Defence. It is a privilege to serve in the Ministry of Defence, particularly as Blyth Valley and wider South East Northumberland is home to high numbers of serving regular members of the Armed Forces and Reservists than most constituencies.
This is Armed Forces Week and Armed Forces Day is on Saturday. On Wednesday I spent my morning supporting the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families during a Westminster Hall debate. In my role as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Defence I regularly assisting Ministers in both debates and in legislation as we work to ensure the UK is the best nation in the world to be a veteran. It was great to listen to the Minister and Members of the house discuss the lived experiences of veterans and of the positive work this government has done to support them, from the Armed Forces Covenant, to the Forces Help to Buy Scheme.
It's important we commemorate the contributions of all British service personnel who do so much to defend our great nation. I would like to pay a special tribute to all those from the Blyth Valley Constituency who are currently serving or have previously served - especially to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Army, Navy and RAF, Regular or Reserve, at home or overseas, I would like to thank you all.
I was unable to vote in Monday’s debate due to my parliamentary duties. Like many, I was unhappy at a number of revelations about both events in Downing Street during the Pandemic and the behaviour of some individuals. I have read the report and, whilst I am unpersuaded that the penalties suggested by the Privileges Committee were commensurate with those handed out to others, I accept that their detailed enquiry led them, unanimously, to believe that sanction was necessary. Boris Johnson achievements in government include delivering Brexit, the fastest vaccine rollout in Europe, and rallying international support for Ukraine. He was a friend to Blyth Valley, showed a keen interest and authorised significant projects here including reopening of the Northumberland Line to rail passenger services, and I thank him for that.
