New Year column

Happy New Year to all West Briton readers.

I hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas  - it was good to spend some time relaxing with my family and friends in Cornwall ahead of what I am sure is going to be a busy time in Parliament in the New Year.

Before Parliament broke up for the Christmas Recess we had a preview of what is to come with the Queen’s Speech.

The Queen’s Speech basically sets out the Government’s agenda for the forthcoming Parliament and so is a good indicator of where our priorities lie for the coming years.

Of course first on the list was Getting Brexit Done. We have already started that process with the Second Reading of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill taking place on 20 December. The Prime Minister is determined to get this Bill through Parliament by the end of January and with the majority the Government now has, this should be an easier process than previously.

As well as this the speech sets out a number of proposals to invest in and support our public services including legislation enshrining in law the largest cash settlement in the NHS’s history.

The Speech sets out a variety of measures to support workers and families including an Employment Bill which will enhance workers’ rights, supporting flexible working, extending unpaid carers’ entitlement to leave and ensure workers keep their hard earned tips.

The Speech also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening the criminal justice system, ensuring it keeps people safe, with Counter Terrorism Bill to ensure the most serious and dangerous terrorist offenders stay in prison for longer.

In environmental matters this Queen’s Speech deepens the Government’s commitment to safeguarding the natural environment for future generations, including the landmark Environment Bill which will protect and preserve the planet for generations to come.

I am also really pleased to see the introduction of legislation to promote and protect animal welfare, including measures to increase maximum sentences for animal cruelty, to ensure animals are recognised as sentient beings, and ban the import and export of trophies from endangered animals.

The Speech also confirms the Government’s determination to  continue to invest in our Armed Forces and honour the Armed Forces Covenant, to continue to uphold the NATO commitment to spend at least two percent of national oncome on defence, as well as bringing in legislation to bring an end to the unfair pursuit of our Armed Forces through vexatious cases.

These are all positive national developments – as I head back up to Parliament in January top on my mind will be both the delivery of this as well as how I can make sure Truro and Falmouth gets the very best possible deal from monies released nationally. More on this in future columns, I am looking forward to help make 2020 a great year for all of us!