End of Term

As I write this article, MPs are approaching the final full week of the summer term. I am preparing my last parliamentary speeches and finalizing plans for the upcoming recess.

There’s a common misconception that when Parliament is in recess, MPs are on holiday.

While I will be taking a couple of weeks for a family break, the remainder of the summer will be filled with meetings, constituency visits, and working with my team to resolve individual constituent issues.

I’ll also be conducting my Village Tour to ensure our smaller communities are not overlooked. In addition, I’ll be holding pop-up surgeries in supermarkets and libraries, alongside scheduled advice sessions. If you need assistance, please email or write to me so I can triage your concern and begin helping.

Before term ends, I want to reflect on some of the major issues MPs have been addressing.

The Government’s early months have been challenging, with some significant missteps. While U-turns have addressed certain issues, they have also raised concerns about public confidence.

The new Government has inherited huge challenges from the previous administration—including overcrowded prisons, an overstretched NHS, an asylum backlog, and increasing demand for care services.

The House of Commons has completed its work on several key Bills, including those on Planning & Infrastructure, Crime & Policing, Assisted Dying, Puppy Smuggling, and Universal Credit.

These Bills have been amended and passed, and are now with the House of Lords for further scrutiny before receiving Royal Assent later this year.

Recently, the Government launched several major reviews. Two particularly significant initiatives are the Strategic Defence Review and the NHS Ten Year Plan.

In today’s uncertain world, there is cross-party agreement on the need to increase military spending and modernize our armed forces to address threats such as terrorism, cyberattacks, and space warfare.

Over the past year, I’ve spent considerable time with the military through the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, learning about the lives of our sailors and marines. In September, I will begin working with the Army, spending time with regiments and deployments to better understand both the evolving threats and the daily lives of service personnel, their families, and veterans.

As our population lives longer but faces more health challenges, the NHS must undergo significant transformation to continue serving us all from cradle to grave.

The NHS Ten Year Plan outlines some promising changes, but we now need a clear roadmap to 2035. Supporting documents, such as the cancer strategy and plans for social care, have unfortunately been delayed.

Locally, I’ve been advocating for improved GP and dental services, children’s medicine, pharmacy access, and end-of-life care. As I review the ten year plan in the coming weeks, I expect to raise further questions with NHS Dorset and relevant ministers when Parliament resumes in September.

Having just marked my first anniversary as your Member of Parliament, I want to thank everyone who has supported me. It is a true privilege to serve, represent, and support you. I hope everyone enjoys a restful summer and makes the most of everything our beautiful county has to offer.