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December Newsletter - Read Only Version
Richard Thomson MP
Gordon Parliamentary Newsletter
December 2021
A message from Richard Thomson MP
Hello and welcome to my December Parliamentary report. Here you will find details on activities I’ve been involved in over the last month in my role as MP.
Firstly, I would like to offer my assistance to anyone impacted by Storm Arwen. My team and I are keen to help connect people to the support they need to recover in the wake of the storm.
In November, I took the chance to speak in the House of Commons debate on the need for more defibrillators in public places, as well as speaking on the Finance Bill, and the measures within it which will impact on Gordon in particular.
If my team or I can assist you in any way, please email [email protected] or call 020 3545 2236 to get in touch.
Sincerely,
Richard Thomson
In Westminster
18th November: Westminster Hall debate on defibrillators
I took part in a Westminster Hall debate on the need for more defibrillators in public spaces. I spoke on how improved access to defibrillators and knowledge of CPR had helped to improve cardiac arrest survival rates; an encouragement to learn how to perform CPR; and the importance of having defibrillators in public buildings. You can view a section of my speech here.
"The private sector has been incredibly accommodating and willing to host defibrillators and ensure that they are maintained, but some of our buildings with the highest footfall, particularly in rural areas, are the public ones. It is important to increase that coverage and do all that we reasonably can, through persuasion or by mandating, to ensure that those lifesaving pieces of tech are in place in our public spaces."
16th November: Finance (No. 2) Bill
Earlier this month during discussion of the Finance Bill, I took the opportunity to highlight three key issues that the budget needed to deliver on: the cost of living crisis; the supply crisis with the resulting inflationary crunch; and of course the environmental crisis. Below is a clip from my contribution on the supply crisis and a link to my observations on the Environmental crisis.
The Supply crisis: There are several serious problems caused by shortages of labour: in particular, in the haulage, hospitality and agriculture sectors. Crops are rotting in the field because there are not enough people to harvest them. There is a crisis in the meat industry because there is a shortage of skilled abattoir workers and butchers. Meanwhile supermarket prices are rising. Brexit is delivering a looming economic crisis.
Watch it here
9th November: LBC News London
I was on LBC News London with Martin Stanford talking about the latest scandals over 'Cash for Access' and 'Cash for Honours 2.0', and the shameful decision by the PM to reward Tory donor Malcolm Offord with a peerage and a ministerial job in the Scotland Office.
Listen here
4th November: BBC's 'Politics live'
I appeared on the BBC 'Politics Live' show. Several topics were covered, including reducing plastic use and the Prime Minister's failed attempt to 'rig' the standards process for the benefit of one of his MPs.
I questioned the UK Government's negotiation strategy following Brexit. Watch here
Willie Taylor, Ellon Pipe Band
EDM (Early Day Motion)646: tabled on 15 November 2021
It was a pleasure to table an EDM thanking Willie Taylor for 38 years of service to Ellon Pipe Band. The EDM marks his service to the band, piping in general and his service to the wider community over this time.
Read about it here
Early Day Motions I have signed
- Aviation safety and licensing EDM 614
- Imam Dr Ruhul Amin EDM 628
- Animals in Scientific Research and transition to new approach methodologies EDM 674
- Scottish Comic Book Day 27 November 2021 EDM 704
Read more about my contributions in parliament
Across the Constituency
19th November: Meeting with Aberdeen University Principal
I met with Professor George Boyne, Principal of Aberdeen University and Professor Pete Edwards, Vice-Principal for Regional Engagement and Recovery. We discussed the University’s future plans, its international focus and the enormous contribution the university makes to wider North East life.
14th November: Remembrance Sunday
I took part in this year's service of Remembrance in Ellon, organised by the local RBL Branch, alongside Gillian Martin MSP. Lest we forget.
Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe conference
It was a great honour to meet delegates at the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe conference in Aberdeen and to speak at their Gala Dinner on 12th November. The Nigerian community contributes strongly to NE Scotland - may our economic, social and cultural links continue to strengthen in the years ahead.
Rowlands Community Pharmacy
On 12th November I visited Rowlands Community Pharmacy in Ellon alongside Gillian Martin MSP. They offer many fantastic services to the local community, including a new automated 24-hour prescription collection point.
Storm Arwen support
Storm Arwen has been incredibly challenging for people right across Gordon. Many were forced to cope without power or water which was of great concern, particularly for those more vulnerable. I am immensely grateful to the utility, emergency and council workers for their efforts at this time, and to every volunteer who has stepped up to provide help. However, many constituents have been justifiably frustrated at poor communications and inaccurate forecasts from SSEN of when power would be restored. I will be challenging SSEN to review how they communicate with customers during power outages to ensure that people have accurate information that they can rely upon.
The winds caused a significant amount of damage to nature as well as to public infrastructure and personal property.
Rhynie
My team and I were in Rhynie on 10th November. We visited Books Abroad, followed by a street surgery around the centre of Rhynie with Cllr. Gwyneth Petrie. Thanks to residents who raised several concerns such as local nursery places, which are now being taken forward by my office.
I couldn't resist a visit to the village shop to stock up on a local delicacy - butteries.
Books Abroad: I visited the 'Books Abroad' charity to see the excellent work they do supporting education and learning overseas. They receive donations of second-hand or surplus books from community groups, schools, colleges and universities across the country, which are then brought to Rhynie. These are checked and sorted by local volunteers before being shipped to over 100 countries worldwide.
In the news...
- MP Richard Thomson highlights silent dangers for carbon monoxide awareness week (Grampian Online) Read: https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/mp-highlights-silent-dangers-of-co-258119/
- Prime Minister told focus less on Peppa Pig, more on the pig industry (Planet Radio) Read: https://planetradio.co.uk/northsound/local/news/prime-minister-peppa-pig/
- Bloomberg Westminster: Boosters and Reshuffles (Bloomberg Westminster) Read: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/audio/2021-11-30/bloomberg-westminster-boosters-and-reshuffles
- Another four North and North-east TSB branches to shut next year (Press and Journal) Read: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/business/local/3711501/another-four-north-and-north-east-tsb-branches-to-shut-next-year/
- North-east MP highlights problems for food and drink sectors post-Brexit (Grampian Online) Read: https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/north-east-mp-highlights-problems-for-food-and-drink-sectors-258054/
- First Minister's intervention in Aberdeenshire carbon capture project decision welcomed by MP (Grampian Online) Read: https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/first-ministers-intervention-in-aberdeenshire-carbon-captur-256723/
Thank you,
Richard Thomson MP
Email – [email protected]
Website – www.richardthomsonmp.com
Call – 020 3545 2236
Address - Unit F6 Enterprise Centre, Aberdeen Energy Park, Exploration Drive, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, AB23 8GX
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