Welcome to my January e-newsletter.
The Westminster political world has of course been dominated by concerns over parties apparently taking place in Downing Street during lockdown. I understand the concern and anger felt about what has happened. It will be important for the Sue Gray report to establish all the facts. Despite this controversy, I can report back on a range of other activities in Parliament and the constituency.
In the period since my last e-newsletter I have spoken up on a number of issues in Parliament. I led a debate on improving access to GP services - a longstanding element of my plan to improve life for my constituents. I also wrote an article for the Daily Express on how to expand GP capacity which you can read here. I subsequently took part in a briefing call with the chief executive of the Royal Free Trust (who run Barnet Hospital) to hear about the huge efforts being made to clear the Covid backlog of operations.
Other matters I have raised in Parliament include anti-microbial resistance and the threat this poses to healthcare; ensuring people can get the cancer care they need; lifting Covid-related travel restrictions and testing requirements; a plan for living with Covid for the long term without further lockdowns; planning reform and stopping overdevelopment; saving our station car parks from being built over; leasehold reform; car insurance costs; protecting UK research and intellectual property from interference or theft by foreign governments; and safeguarding political stability in Northern Ireland.
I was the MP host of the launch of the 2022 Open Doors World Watch List which identifies the countries around the world where Christians face oppression and ill-treatment for their beliefs. 93 Parliamentarians logged into this important virtual event.
I have been involved in various events to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. You will find an article in the list of links at the end of this newsletter which reflects on the very moving commemoration hosted by Barnet Council last Sunday to remember the horrors of Nazi persecution.
This week I was one of a group of MPs who met the Home Secretary to discuss policing in London. I emphasised how important it is for the police to crack down on burglary. I expressed my strong opposition to the Mayor’s plan to sell-off Barnet police station. A number of us made the case for more police for the suburbs, from the 20,000 new officers the Government is recruiting.
Further information on my campaigns and activities is available in the links below to articles on my website. Please forward this email to anyone you think would be interested to read it or might like to join this mailing list.
PS If you haven’t signed my online petition to save Barnet Police Station yet, and I hope you will click here to express your support!
Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers
Member of Parliament for Chipping Barnet
Campaign for more GP appointments in Barnet debated in Parliament
Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers has led a parliamentary debate to discuss how to expand GP capacity and increase the number of face-to-face appointments available to her constituents in Barnet. Read more…
Villiers secures help for Coppetts Wood Nature Reserve
Theresa Villiers MP has welcomed council funding to improve steps, fences and paths at Coppetts Wood after she spoke to the authority about helping the volunteers looking after the site. Read more…
Reflecting on Holocaust Memorial Day
Following the Borough of Barnet’s annual commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day on Sunday, Theresa Villiers has paid tribute to all the survivors who speak out bravely to ensure that this atrocity is never forgotten. Read more…
Barnet MP challenges TfL on Bank branch partial closure plans
At an urgent meeting she requested, Theresa Villiers challenged TfL officials on their four month closure plans for the Bank branch between Moorgate and Kennington. Reliability problems on the Charing Cross branch and the Mayor’s deeply unpopular changes to the 384 bus route were also on the agenda. Read more…
Villiers welcomes progress towards better protection for peatland habitats
Former Environment Secretary, Theresa Villiers MP, has welcomed the publication of a consultation on improving protection for peatland areas, saying “These are the UK’s equivalent to the rainforest. They are our largest terrestrial carbon store, a haven for rare wildlife, and a record of our past.” Read more…
Why I voted against vaccine passports
In a statement following the vote on introducing “Plan B” measures, Theresa Villiers explained why she voted against the introduction of domestic vaccine passports for entry to nightclubs and other large venues and events. Read more…
