This month got off to a brilliant start, with a triumphant display from across the constituency to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. Her Majesty The Queen is an inspiration to us all, and it was heart-warming to see our community give thanks for her 70 years of devoted service to the United Kingdom, her Realms, the Commonwealth, her Dependencies and her Territories.
A personal highlight was my visit to meet residents at the Rivermere Care Home, where I discussed their memories from the Queen’s coronation 70 years ago. Thank you again to the care home staff for facilitating my visit, as well as the residents who spoke with me.
I was also honoured to welcome two Ministers to the constituency, over the last month. I have provided more details below, but both Baroness Vere, the Minister for Buses, and Lord Parkinson, the Minister for Culture were most impressed with what they saw, and I look forward to hosting more visits soon.
Sadly, developments towards the end of the month have been less celebratory. Last week’s major strike action caused mass disruption locally, they unfairly disrupted children attending school and sitting exams, prevented patients attending medical appointments, damaged our local businesses who rely on trade from commuters, stopped those planning to mark Armed Forces Day and caused hardship to people just trying to get into work - with some suffering loss of pay. This is unacceptable.
The Government rightly kept the railway running when most passengers stayed at home. Trains were available for key workers, and not a single railway worker had to be furloughed or lost their job. However, this came at a price of £16 billion. That is taxpayers’ money, and it is the equivalent of £600 for every household in this country. That support should not be repaid by strikes.
If you, or anyone you know wishes to raise with me any concerns locally, please do not hesitate to get in touch. I really enjoy receiving and replying to your emails, and together we will continue to make Sevenoaks and Swanley and even better place to live and work.
Laura Trott
MP for Sevenoaks and Swanley
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