The second week of Easter Recess has been just as busy as the last.
The start of the week was focused on the upcoming local elections. Since restrictions were eased, I’ve been able to get out and speak to people with our local election candidates and it was especially nice to be joined by my old friend and candidate for Mayor of Greater Manchester, Laura Evans in Heywood.
Crime and anti-social behaviour have been big issues on the doorstep and so I’ve been in regular contact with Greater Manchester Police to see what I can do to support them in their work especially in tackling issues with young people acting out in Heywood Town Centre, which a number of people have raised with me.
My team also had a meeting with GMP the other day about off-road bikes which have been causing a serious nuisance - I've written to the PCC in support of some measures the local police would like to take to tackle these.
The news that members of the Rochdale grooming gangs are still in the area and living and working where they could meet their victims is especially concerning. I contacted the Home Office early this week and have had reassuring conversations, but will continue to push for a strong response and will be posting more about this in the next few days.
As Parliament is due to sit again next week a lot of my meetings have been focused on getting back to work both in the Ministry of Justice where I support the Secretary of State as his PPS and in the Departments of Health and Communities and Local Government who are leading on the efforts to get the country back to normal. I know a lot of us (me included) are looking forward to the 12th when pubs, hairdressers and non-essential retail can reopen. Anyone who has bumped into me out and about recently will know just how badly I need a haircut and how much I’m looking forward to that first pint!
It was a sad end to the week as the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh was announced. If you’re a Monarchist or not, the passing of a father, grandfather, great-grandfather and husband is a sad occasion. Prince Philip was a big character who led a remarkable life, most of which was in service to the country he adopted as his own and so it’s only right we take time to reflect on his contributions.
For that reason, my party and others agreed the right thing to do is to stand down our local election campaigns for a few days as a mark of respect the Duke and his family. Parliament will also return on Monday for tributes.
I rounded off the week with a visit to Bamford Chapel’s Easter Trail which has been put together by the congregation – this is a free, fun and family-friendly activity taking place next to the chapel itself and I’d like to thank the volunteers who put it together.
A busy week from Monday onwards, so I suspect the next catch-up will be a long one, but in the meantime, stay safe and look after each other.
