October started in Manchester with the return of Party Conference. My first as an MP, it was a pleasure to join some brilliant panels and discuss topics ranging from social care to civil service reform to housing.
As attention nationally turns to the start of the UN COP26 conference in Glasgow, I am incredibly excited to this week (5th November) be hosting our first Sevenoaks and Swanley Virtual Climate Change Conference. Climate change is a serious threat to the future of our planet; in 2019, the UK adopted a world-leading net zero emissions target, aiming to end our contribution to climate change altogether by 2050. This will mean changing the way we heat our homes, get to work, grow our food, and much more. The Sevenoaks and Swanley Virtual Climate Conference will see experts from around the country, as well local councillors and groups, discuss what changes we need from businesses and consumers. Following the event, I will be writing to the COP26 President, Alok Sharma MP, to summarise the conversations we’ve had and give him an overview of our local priorities. I do hope as many of you as possible will be able to join and I have provided the registration details below if you are yet to sign up.
I would like to just touch on the very sad news we all received this month regarding the devastating deaths of James Brokenshire MP, and Sir David Amess. Both were taken from us too soon, and while in very different circumstances, they have both left behind grieving families, friends, and colleagues. I hope their parting will reaffirm our commitment both nationally and locally to democracy, civility, and decency. I firmly believe we are all united in wanting the best for our community, and it is for that reason that I love my job and the people I have the privilege to represent.
Locally, we have also sadly lost former Association Chairman and President Merrill London, following on from the loss at the end of August of longstanding member and treasurer of Dunton Green & Riverhead Branch Colin Wadie. I know Merrill and Colin will be greatly missed, and I send my condolences to both Jill Wadie and James London, and all their family and friends.
Thank you all for your continued support, and if there is anything I can do to help you, please get in touch.
Laura Trott
MP for Sevenoaks and Swanley
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Below is a snapshot of what I have been working on:
- As mentioned above, the countdown is on to our Sevenoaks and Swanley Climate Change Conference, which will coincide with the UN COP26 conference in Glasgow. The event will be be held online, on the morning of the 5th November, to allow as many people as possible to attend. We will be discussing what a net zero future looks like, and how we get there - both locally and nationally. Do please visit my website to register your attendance.
- Ahead of the event I asked the COP President in the House of Commons chamber if the Government would agree to publish more regular and rolling updates so that we all know we are on track to reach the UK Net Zero target. To see the full question please visit my Facebook page.
- It was very exciting to visit the Swanley Skate Park and celebrate the news they have been awarded £150,000 by National Lottery for its renovation project. JD O’Brien, CIC Concrete Wave and the local community have been battling to raise funding for the much-needed renovations, and it was great to see their hard work rewarded. Together with promised funding from Swanley Town Council and Kent County Council, this is a step closer to getting the new Skate Park Swanley deserves, and I will do all I can to support it.
- It was great to meet up with Tracy, David and Vee from The Community Cupboard Team, and hear about the continued amazing support they provide locally. Since the start of the pandemic they have distributed an incredible 57,000kg of food, and it was exciting to hear their plans to extend the site – you can find out more here. Community Cupboard cannot do their great work without local support, so do please consider getting involved – I know they would be pleased to hear from you.
- Earlier this month a whistle-blower told American congress that Facebook has repeatedly misled the public on the impact of Facebook on children’s mental health. I therefore asked the Health Secretary if he agrees with me that it’s time for Facebook to be transparent about the research it has done into this and share what it knows about the influence of its platforms on children’s health. To watch my question please visit here.
- I also met with the CEO of West Kent Mind to discuss local mental health provisions and see how I can support. West Kent Mind help hundreds of people across the constituency, so if you could benefit from talking to someone, please visit: https://westkentmind.org.uk/
- I joined a brilliant thank you event for volunteers who signed up during the pandemic through the “Care for our Community – Sevenoaks District” Facebook page. It was a pleasure to speak to many of the volunteer’s present, hear their stories and thank them personally for all that they had done. At the start of the pandemic, residents were scared, worried and lonely. However, thanks to volunteers across the district, our community came together to look after those in need. Thank you to Sevenoaks District Council and to Eliza Ecclestone who arranged the event and worked immensely hard during the pandemic to coordinate the volunteers.
- I meet with Fawkham Parish Council chairman Laura Evans and former parish councillor Lawrence Moss to discuss the speed limit of the road outside Fawkham Primary School, planning and also the problems of flooding. The countryside around Fawkham is very special, and it is vital that we protect it from inappropriate development.
- I visited Brands Hatch and met CEO and former Formula 1 racing driver, Jonathan Palmer. Brands Hatch is such an iconic venue, and it was good to hear of the strong links between the circuit and the local community, including free local passes and also a yearly Villagers’ Day which raises money for local charities. It is a privilege to have it in our midst, and my thanks to Jonathan for all the circuit does for the local community and the local economy.
- And finally, I was honoured to be named as one of the inspirational women selected by Marie Claire as part of their celebration of the Mothers2Mothers #ShesGotThePower campaign. To read my reflections please visit here.
