The coronavirus outbreak continues to have a huge impact on our daily lives, and has had a huge effect on the way in which my colleagues and I carry out our parliamentary duties. Not only has it changed the way we communicate and interact with residents, but it has had a profound impact on the way in which parliament operates.
Last month, the speaker of the House of Commons passed a motion to allow MPs to participate virtually in proceedings of the House. For the first time in the 700-year-old history of the House of Commons, MPs are able to vote virtually, ask questions ‘in the chamber’ and participate in committee inquiries virtually, from home using zoom.
I have spoken virtually to the house on numerous occasions, for example, on incentivising smaller legal firms to take up pro bono work during the outbreak; the importance of continued trade; and, a statement on the impact of the coronavirus in Wrexham, highlighting some of the difficulties we’re faced with on the border, pushing for a one nation approach to the handling of the pandemic.
As part of my role on the Defence Select Committee, I along my colleagues have launched an inquiry into the nature of the Armed Forces’ contribution on the ongoing effort against the coronavirus pandemic. It is vital that we recognise the extraordinary contribution the Armed Forces have made during this pandemic, and on behalf of Wrexham residents I’d like to take this opportunity express my immense gratitude.
Despite not being able to go out in the community to meet residents as usual during the pandemic, my focus as your MP has been to offer support, guidance and advice to Wrexham residents. That means, holding ‘skype surgeries’ to discuss residents’ concerns on a wide variety of issues from housing to shielding advice; responding to casework enquiries; distributing vital information to those self-isolating; and, speaking to businesses, pointing them in the direction of some of the fantastic government schemes, and raising their concerns directly with my colleagues in the Government
Together we will beat coronavirus, but in order to ensure that our sacrifices not in vain, we must continue to follow the Welsh Government’s advice as we slowly and gradually emerge from lockdown measures.
Although my office is closed until further notice. My team and I are working tirelessly to help Wrexham residents. If there is anything I can do to help, please don’t hessite to contact me:
020 7217 4885 | 01978 291742