In with the new 

Parliament has seen a flurry of activity since the election, not least because of the huge influx of new MPs. Of the 650 MPs elected this time around, more than half are new MPs.

Offices have had to be allocated, staff hired, and there has been a level of buzz around the Palace of Westminster that I never seen before during my time as an MP.

It has been fantastic to see the new MPs begin to participate in the work of the Commons, and I was particularly glad to be able to hear Chelsea & Fulham’s new Labour MP, Ben Coleman, give his maiden speech.

No one, including I suspect Rishi Sunak, regrets getting the General Election over with in July, but it has meant interruptions to business with a summer break and conference recess.  Now the serious business of government begins in earnest. Swathes of new legislation was announced in the King’s Speech, and more than 35 new Bills have been tabled covering issues from green energy to constitutional reform.

The Renters’ Rights Bill aims to reform the rental market, including abolishing ‘no-fault’ evictions, improving housing conditions, stopping discrimination in lettings and allowing challenges to rent increases.

The Water (Special Measures) Bill is a bill to regulate water companies to clean up rivers lakes and seas in the UK, which I know will be of particular interest to those concerned about the behaviour of Thames Water. I met Thames last week to raise pollution of the river at the request of Fulham Reach Boat Club. We also discussed investment in the mains network to prevent bursts, sewer flooding, especially in Hammersmith and Shepherds Bush, and their financial problems.

Also of interest is the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, part of the work being done to help streamline the process for building both housing and critical infrastructure.

The Employment Rights Bill will counter the Tories’ anti-employee legislation, giving more rights and protections on sick pay, unfair dismissal maternity and paternity pay.

The Railways Bill will end the chaotic reign of privatised rail operators and bring contracts back into public ownership.

Finally, I was pleased to see the Great British Energy Bill being tabled, which will establish a public body that will own and operate clean power projects across the UK.

On a more personal note, I was very pleased to be elected as Chair of the Justice Select Committee. The elections for the select committee chair positions are normally very sedate affairs, but with a new Government and so many new MPs, many positions were strongly contested. I am looking forward to working with the new committee members and staff, and begin to examine the issues facing the justice system. With prisons overflowing, cases taking years to come to court and a lack of representation and legal help we will not be short of issues to investigate.

I have also spoken on a wide range of issues over the last few weeks including the poor condition of the UK’s prison estate, backlogs and delays in the coronial system, potential breaches of international law in the Middle East, and I called for a debate on the importance of investigative and public interest journalism.

The situation in the Middle East is dire from both a humanitarian and military standpoint. The recent suffering of innocent people in Israel and Gaza, and now in the West Bank and Lebanon, is into its second year.  The international community has failed to persuade or enforce the warring parties to call a ceasefire, let alone to provide aid and start rebuilding.  The UK has a particular responsibility in the region and we need, with allies, to do more to end the suffering, as I raised with the Prime Minister today.

I am already getting a lot of correspondence on the Assisted Dying Bill which will soon be debated in the Commons and the Lords.  All views are represented in my inbox, but the majority support some change in the law, subject to effective safeguards.  This is my own view as I made clear when I summed up for the Opposition frontbench in the last major debate in 2015.  The vote when it comes will not be whipped or along party lines.  A decade ago the Commons voted strongly for the status quo,  but both public and parliament’s opinion seem to have moved on since then.

Bringing local issues to national attention

Another big change is of course now being an MP representing the party of Government, and the opportunities this gives to bring local issues to the attention of ministers.

Over the last few weeks I have been working with local MP colleagues, Ben Coleman, Ruth Cadbury and Fleur Anderson to set up meetings with the transport minister and the London deputy mayor for transport to discuss the future of Hammersmith Bridge.

I won’t rehash the lengthy history of the bridge’s closure, but for years the main sticking point preventing any real progress was the lack of interest from Tory transport ministers. It is a huge boon to be able to contact Government Ministers without the expectation of your letter or email languishing unread for months.

I am also working with west London MPs to discuss the future funding for the works so desperately needed to the Hospitals managed by the Imperial NHS Trust, Charing Cross, Hammersmith and St Mary’s

Earlier this month I and other MPs met with the Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who is reviewing the programme, and with the Trust’s Chief Executive, Tim Orchard. Further meetings with ministers are being planned as the review progresses.

As always, I will keep residents up to date with any progress on these issues.

Grenfell Report

The Grenfell Tower final report was published on last month, and I spoke in the Commons in response to the Government’s statement. It was a sombre day in Parliament as we heard of the systemic failures which resulted in the fire of 14 June 2017.

While I know there were concerns about the length of time it was taking for the report to be published, I think it was right that so much time and effort was put into getting this right. Now, however we must press on with prosecuting those responsible for the fire and completing the removal of dangerous cladding from residential and other vulnerable buildings.

The report is a damning insight into the multiple failings on the part of Government, both local and national; with the report stating that the effect of the Coalition Government’s bonfire of red tape was that “even matters affecting the safety of life were ignored, delayed or disregarded”.

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea is condemned, not only for its poor management of the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower and its disregard for residents’ concerns, but also for how it handled the aftermath of the fire, with those who had lost their homes left feeling abandoned.

Grenfell Tower remains a daily presence in the lives of West London residents. As we remember the tragedy seven years on, there remains a fight for justice for victims, survivors, and their families.

Out and about

The most pleasant part of being an MP is getting to know your local community, and I have had an excellent summer meeting with community groups across the constituency. I have been made so welcome by everyone I have met in my new wards in Chiswick and have learnt so much about this area in the few short months I have been MP.

Earlier this month I attended the Thames Tidefest event at Strand on the Green. I met with Thames 21 and In the Drink volunteers who do great work cleaning up our rivers and waterways across London. Both not-for-profits have dedicated volunteers who raise awareness of the dangers of single use plastic and rubbish in our waterways and regularly organise clean-ups to help protect our marine environments and the plants and animals that make the river their home.

Last month I opened Tunnels of Hope 2, a further exhibition of art both by professional artists and children from St Peter’s CofE Primary School.  The aim is both to brighten up the subway near the school under the A4 and draw attention to plastic pollution in the oceans.

I attended several events as part of the first ever Askew Road Arts Festival. This took place from 18-25 September, and was a great success. I really hope this goes on to be a regular event.

We are reviving the Gunnersbury Station Action Team to take advantage of the proposed redevelopment of Chiswick Tower.  The station, along with Kew Bridge and Turnham Green, already have feasibility projects for adding step-free access, but the wider issue of congestion which leads to regular closures on safety grounds is long overdue for attention and the conversion of the BSI building for student accommodation may provide the opportunity.

Less welcome is Transport for London’s plan for Hogarth roundabout which would involve the closure of Church Street at the junction with the roundabout and the effective isolation of Old Chiswick when the tide covers the Mall.  There is general support for making this very busy roundabout safer but the current scheme pleases no one.

I am sad to report the death of some well-known local champions this summer.  Charlie Treloggan, who died a few weeks short of his 100th birthday had an eventful life in the Royal Navy in World War 2 seeing active service in the Pacific, as a black cab driver and as councillor and Mayor for Hammersmith & Fulham.  It was my great delight to be his friend and co-councillor for many years. Tributes will be paid to Charlie at next week’s Council at the Irish Cultural Centre.

A Patron and active supporter of the ICC was Edna O’Brien, the legendary writer and campaigner.  Her friends and admirers gathered at the Centre in August to share their memories of Edna and read from her novels and essays.

Dave Wetzel, another giant of local government in London, also passed away this summer.  Dave was a former leader of Hounslow Council and GLC member for Hammersmith & Fulham.  He introduced the Fares Fair policy that has been the model for funding public transport in London and many other cities.

Finally, just last month we lost Simon Mullings, a solicitor at Hammersmith & Fulham Law Centre and one of the most respected housing lawyers in the country.  Simon helped thousands of people to avoid eviction and homelessness, to enforce their rights to a decent home and to put bad landlords out of business.  He is a reminder of the selfless and talented people who work in the voluntary sector.  He was also very good fun.