As we move into the New Year, it is time to look back and reflect on the many events of 2017. It has certainly been an eventful year in politics with the General Election in June where I was re-elected as MP for Staffordshire Moorlands with an increased majority. I am very honoured that Staffordshire Moorlands residents have put their trust in me and will always do my very best to be a strong voice for you both locally and in Parliament.
It has been a turbulent year with the terrorist attacks in London and Manchester that darkened our Spring and early Summer. I was directly affected by two of these as I was in Parliament at the time of the Westminster attack and the Manchester attack was a matter for my Department at DCMS as it happened at a pop concert. We must do all we can to keep our country and citizens safe and I welcome the news that the Home Secretary and Chancellor have recently announced that we are to provide £50 million extra police funding to protect Brits from terrorism.
2017 has also seen the triggering of Article 50 and the ongoing Brexit negotiations which I know are of utmost importance to local people. I have received many emails and letters on the subject and have also met local farmers to discuss their concerns. Our Prime Minister, Theresa May has been clear that that we are working to secure a smooth, orderly Brexit and build a stronger, fairer and more global Britain that works for everyone.
I have been working hard as your local MP both in Westminster and in Staffordshire Moorlands on a number of issues including amongst others, saving Leek Moorlands Hospital.
I have called for and attended many meetings to discuss the Leek Moorlands Hospital including meetings with the Health Secretary and many healthcare professionals as well as the Save Leek Hospital Action group. I will continue to fight for Leek Moorlands Hospital and the need for Leek to have the right services under one roof.
I would like to thank the hundreds of local people who completed my hospital survey, the results have now been sent to the CCG and shared with the Save Leek Hospital Action group.
Other issues include local bus services and pushing for a second post office now that we have the new one in the High Street which I was pleased to visit recently.
The Post Office agreed in a previous meeting with me that they would look at the possibility of finding somewhere for a second branch in the north of Leek, once the new High Street branch was fully open.
I was delighted to see many local pubs recognised this year – the Fountain in Leek won CAMRA’s Staffordshire Moorlands Pub of the Year Award and Matt Earl of the Roaring Meg in Biddulph was nominated for best Pub Chef in the UK competition. The Lazy Trout Pub, Meerbrook are finalists for a regional title in the Countryside Alliance Awards.
As your MP it is a privilege to be invited to many local events. I am always pleased to be back in the Moorlands and have been delighted to attend many events in 2017 such as Leek Club Day, flower festivals, the 60th Anniversary of LaFarge Cauldon and WW1 commemorations. I have visited Biddulph Old Hall, local charities such as Home-Start and the BHF shop in Leek, local businesses, discussed Brexit and broadband concerns with Staffordshire Moorlands farmers and taken part in the Christmas Lights switch-on, just to mention a few.
I have once again organised coach trips for Moorlands constituents to come and visit Parliament and as always, these have been a huge success. I have visited a number of local schools and was delighted to have a student from Biddulph High School doing work experience in my constituency office.
Looking ahead to 2018, I will continue to do my best to be a loud voice for local residents both in Westminster and in Staffordshire Moorlands.
For more information on my work as your MP please do see my website www.karenbradley.co.uk
I wish everyone in Staffordshire Moorlands a very Happy New Year!