Last week I had the great privilege of making my maiden speech in the House of Commons. As is traditional, I talked about what our wonderful constituency of Reading West and Mid Berkshire means to me. I thanked my predecessors, Sir Alok Sharma, now Lord Sharma of Reading, for both his work in the constituency and as a champion for tackling climate change, and Martin Salter, who gave me one of my first tastes of politics when I undertook my work experience in his office. And most importantly, I talked about my Mum and Dad, an English teacher and police officer, who inspired my sense of public service.
Last week, along with my colleagues, Matt Rodda and Yuan Yang, I met with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting to continue to press for a new Royal Berks Hospital. I am confident in the strength of the case developed by the excellent team at the hospital and will continue to highlight its importance for residents in Reading West and Mid Berkshire with ministers.
Last Thursday was Back British Farming Day and I was delighted to be able to meet with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) in Parliament. We have some fantastic farmers and growers in Reading West and Mid Berkshire. That’s why I am delighted to be taking part in the NFU’s Food and Farming Fellowship scheme over the coming year. I am looking forward to gaining valuable insights into how the British food and farming sectors contribute to UK food security, the local and national economies and to the environment.
Also on Thursday, I chaired a public meeting for the campaign against development at Pincents Hill in Tilehurst. A huge thanks to everyone who came along. There was clear consensus at the meeting that we have a housing crisis locally and nationally, and I will continue to advocate for the affordable homes and infrastructure local people deserve. But where those homes go is a choice. Pincents Hill is not a suitable site for development, with limited access and inadequate local school and GP places. West Berkshire Council need to look again at the Draft Local plan and identify other, more appropriate sites.
Over the weekend, I was out with my team in Norcot speaking with residents following a community litter pick on Meadway with local councillors and community activists.
On Monday, I was also delighted to visit the team at PACT – Parents and Children Together. Along with their fantastic adoption services I was also pleased to have a tour of the Alana House Community project, which supports women in the criminal justice system, and hear about their very successful Bounce Back 4 Kids programme which supports children who have been affected by or witnessed domestic abuse
Olivia Bailey is MP for Reading West & Mid Berkshire (Labour)
