Evesham’s MP Nigel Huddleston writes for the Observer….
SEPTEMBER is usually a busy month in politics anyway as Parliament returns from the Summer recess and as we enter the party conference season. But there was an added air of excitement this month as the Prime Minister also decided to perform a significant reshuffle of his ministerial team.
There have been many changes at Cabinet level and amongst the government’s junior ministerial team. I was delighted to be asked to stay on at DCMS covering Sport, Tourism and the Commonwealth games, along with an extended brief. I have a new boss, Nadine Dorries, and she jumped straight into her role, alongside me at the dispatch box answering DCMS questions within hours of being appointed!
It’s been a fabulous Summer for British Sport topped off with success in tennis and at both the Olympics and Paralympics. I was delighted to attend the homecoming celebrations and personally thank many athletes at a reception in Parliament last week.
Things in Westminster are showing more signs of heading back to normal with events like the Macmillan cancer care coffee morning and the NFU’s event to ‘Back British Farming’ initiatives both taking place in Parliament, and I was put through my paces on National Fitness Day with a workout alongside athletes Matty Lee and Tanni Grey-Thompson!
In the constituency I was honoured to join in the opening of the new 3G pitch at Evesham United last week and visited several local hospitality venues including the Wood Norton Hotel and Holland House for National Hospitality Day. I’ve attended many fetes and events in the last few weeks including the Droitwich Saltfest and Broadway Food Festival. Another annual event I celebrated recently was National Racehorse Week when I visited Mill House Stables.
I also attended the Moving Evesham Forward event hosted by Wychavon and Worcestershire councils – bringing key local stakeholders together to improve transport in Evesham and spoke at the Droitwich West Summit involving local residents, community and civic leaders and focussing on actions to enhance social mobility.
It’s been a jam-packed month and a good end to our Summer with a definite sense of looking forward.”
