The pace has been fast and furious in Westminster for many weeks with many extremely serious issues on the agenda not least the Syria debate and lobbing over tax credits. I’m pleased the Chancellor listened to my representation and has waived any changes to the latter.
One local business where they really know about the pace of life is the Royal Mail Delivery Centre in Taunton in the run up to Christmas.
It’s the largest centre in the South West and December 14th, the day I popped in prior to catching my train, is their busiest day of the year. Get the system right on the 14th and it augers well for the entire festive season. Dealing with 12,000 items a day including tracking a staggering 2500 parcels demands a highly efficient system. I’m pleased to say all was running super- smoothly so well done to all of the hard working 210 staff!
On a further Christmas note the award winning design for my first MPs Christmas card was created by Georgina Malcom of Parkfield School. Featuring a Christmas tree it is rather appropriate since I have been campaigning on trees over the last few weeks.
I was delighted to secure a backbench debate in Parliament calling for more protection for our precious ancient woodland and veteran trees. This habitat, of which only 2% remains is our equivalent of the rainforest. Dating back to at least 1600 and home to hundreds of associated species the woods and the soils beneath them are a rich, biodiverse resource that is irreplaceable and could potentially hold the key to the future such is their genetic importance in terms of finding cures for pests, disease and such like. And yet ancient woodland is not protected (in the same was as for example listed buildings or scheduled monuments) and the Woodland Trust is currently fighting 560 cases where ancient woodlands are under threat, largely from a range of developments and many of these are in the West Country.
Through the debate, which was well supported my many MPs I was able to get the subject onto the government radar. I was heartened that George Eustice the DEFRA Minster answering in the debate agreed to look again at the wording of the National Policy Planning Framework that can result in ancient woodland being swept away if developments can be deemed more important. He also agreed to consider how a much needed database might be compiled to keep a record of ancient woodland that is lost as there is currently no comprehensive account of this.
Biodiversity aside, our woodlands also have an important effect on our general health and well being so there are many reasons for speaking up for them. Since the trees cannot do this for themselves ( apart from the Ents in Lord of the Rings) I am doing it for them! I did the same for our bees in a debate on bees and neonicotinoid sprays recently, like the trees, they are vital to us too, for without them to pollinate our crops our food supply could be in jeopardy.
Finally I’d like to wish you all a peaceful and joyous Christmas and all the best for the New Year.
