Mail Weekly Column: 30 October 2023
In an ancient ceremony, with words spoken in Norman French, this session of Parliament was brought to an end this week. We now break until the State Opening and King's Speech on the 7 November. This has been an exceptionally busy few days as we voted to pass the remaining Bills before the hiatus. In this session, 43 Bills were passed, including 24 Private Members’ Bills (one of which was mine on ending Friday prison releases), and over 1,000 Statutory instruments. Not one vote was lost – quite an achievement.
On Tuesday I attended, with other Members of the Home Affairs Committee, a private briefing on the impact of the conflict between Israel and Gaza on our UK streets. We heard from the Community Safety Trust (which helps to promote good relations between British Jews and the rest of British society) and Tell Mama (which works to tackle anti-Muslim hatred). Both organisations had awful examples of the role played by misinformation from those motivated to spread hate online. We will work closely with them, and the Police to monitor and prevent this as this terrible conflict continues.
It was wonderful later to see the finished Parliamentary Coronavirus Quilt in Portcullis House. Back in 2021 I received an email suggesting that MPs and Peers might collaborate on a quilt to commemorate the loss from the pandemic. Each of us was encouraged to submit a panel relevant to our constituency. Most days during that first lockdown I took my hour of exercise by walking up to the Hoad and back. It became such a constant in my life that it was the obvious choice for the panel I cobbled together. My cross-stitch skills are questionable, but I hope I did it justice!
On Wednesday I met the Transport Minister to discuss a variety of things, not least our failing train network, and the collective anger that we all feel about not getting the service we deserve. Other topics included the idiotic proposal from Northern to close the ticket office in Ulverston, and the desperate need to improve the A590 and the A595.
Our campaign to reopen Ulverston Library is gathering pace. The Library closed in early September after an electrical fault, and has remained so. The Council are ‘considering their options’ regarding its future. The library team is doing an amazing job offering temporary services elsewhere, but we want the full services back – fast.. I’ll continue to lobby the Council, but I need your support to show them just how much Ulverston Library matters to you. Please complete my survey https://www.simonfell.org/ulverstonlibrary and make your voice heard.
Finally, on Friday I was delighted to look in at St Mary’s Hospice and briefly shadow the Café team, helping in the kitchen and delivering meals to patients, to get a feel for what it means to volunteer there. The café is such a valuable asset. It was lovely to meet everyone, and witness the work they do that helps provide funding for the Hospice. They are always seeking volunteers so do contact me if you are interested on simon.fell.mp@parliament.uk and I will pass on your details.
