Following last week’s terror incident in Westminster, I must start by saying my thoughts are with all of the victims caught up in this vile and cowardly attack. The police do a fantastic job in keeping us safe and it is incidents like this that make us realise just what they do for us. At the time of the attack, I was in the House of Commons about to vote on a Bill on behalf of the people of Bolton West and Atherton. This attack – which wasn’t just an attack on Parliament, but an attack on our values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law – will not stop me doing my job and representing my constituency because terrorists should never win.
I’ve got to say, after reading Andy Burnham’s column last week, there is at least one thing we agree on – now is absolutely not the time for another Scottish Independence referendum. Rather than being a healthy expression of democracy, a second referendum will be a divisive attempt to undermine Scotland’s previous decision and create a Neverendum.
When Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon raised the prospect of yet another vote, just three years after the last one, I think a collective groan was heard up and down the country.
In 2014, the Scottish people voted decisively to remain in the United Kingdom in a referendum that was described by the SNP’s Alex Salmond as a ‘once in a generation’ event.
Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP are now trying to use Brexit as political ammunition to push for independence from the United Kingdom. Someone should really point out to them that more than a third of SNP voters actually chose Brexit in the EU referendum.
I’m not sure how it makes sense for the SNP to say they want independence so that they can stay in an undemocratic European Union and be ruled from Brussels. Shouldn’t Scotland’s leaders be looking at the opportunities Brexit could now offer – like a chance to revive the Scottish fishing industry and take control of our borders?
Scotland’s trade with the rest of the UK is about four times more than its trade with the EU. Mrs Sturgeon’s cynical political posturing would hurt Scotland by potentially removing Scottish businesses’ ability to trade freely with the rest of the UK.
Not to mention that the Scottish people do quite well out of being part of the UK. Because of the Barnett Formula, which was embedded at the time of devolution, public spending per head in Scotland is £10,536 – £1,720 more than the average for England.
Prime Minister Theresa May immediately put to bed any suggestion that another Scottish independence vote could take place any time soon.
When she invokes Article 50 on Wednesday March 29 and fires the starting gun on the process to leave the EU, our country should come together and make the most of the opportunities Brexit will bring for every nation of the United Kingdom.
We must remember that the reason why Nicola Sturgeon has a platform for her chippy form of victim politics is because the Labour Party created the Scottish Parliament. What I don’t want to see in Greater Manchester, following the mayoral elections, is a mayor who constantly virtue signals his or her own intentions and bemoans how terrible life is because of decisions made in Westminster.
The targeting of Westminster politicians, whether by clear accusation or subtle suggestion, undermines our democracy and lays the foundations for further corrosion and wider distrust in our society.
I have had quite a few emails over the last couple of weeks about the consultation on the National Schools Funding Formula. I know a lot of schools are concerned about the proposed changes to funding and I have already met with some headteachers and governors to talk about their schools’ specific cases.
Although most people will agree that school funding needs to be reformed, I am concerned that the current approach set out in the consultation is not the right one. Many schools in Bolton West & Atherton will lose out under the proposals and I am concerned about the impact this could have on the education of local children.
I have made very clear my concerns in recent meetings with Ministers, including Education Secretary Justine Greening and Schools Minister Nick Gibb and have urged them to look at this again.
The proposals are only under consultation and I am hopeful that significant changes will be made.
I hope that this is reassuring to all those concerned, but if anyone still does want to raise anything with me, please do get in touch.