Newspaper column 28 May 2020 - COVID-19 Update 10

In the tenth week of lockdown and next week I will be returning to actual Parliament rather than the virtual one we have been working in over the past month or so. While the virtual Parliament was acceptable in getting the job done, I think most of my colleagues would join me in preferring to be back in Parliament itself, albeit with strict social distancing rules in place.

This week is half term and over the recent Bank Holiday Weekend things in Cornwall were not as busy as some thought they would be. That being said, last Thursday I did raise concerns about the numbers of people sleeping in vans overnight at places like Perranporth with the local police and was pleased to see them taking action promptly to help stop this breaking of the lockdown rules.

However despite the warnings it was very sad to several deaths and injuries in Cornish waters over the weekend – this shows why it is so important to heed Coastguard advice and take extra care while in the water at this time.

I was pleased to see at the end of the week that Cornwall will be receiving a £759,000 share of the £250 million for new cycling and walking infrastructure announced earlier this month. The council can use this money to fast-track plans for new walking and cycling lanes in Cornwall.

I have long been a supporter of investing in new and existing cycling infrastructure such as we have seen come forward to link Perranporth and Newquay. This announcement will allow people to continue to walk and cycle more as has been the trend during lockdown and will encourage more people to choose alternatives to public transport when they need to travel.

On Saturday the Government also announced that Cornwall will be receiving a share of more than half a million pounds as part of a £50m Government boost to support the recovery of our high streets in introducing measures to allow them to reopen safely.

In connection with this, on Sunday the Prime Minister announced that outdoor markets and car showrooms will be able to reopen from 1 June, as soon as they are able to meet the COVID-19 secure guidelines to protect shoppers and workers. As with garden centres, the risk of transmission of the virus is lower in these outdoor and more open spaces. Car showrooms often have significant outdoor space and it is generally easier to apply social distancing.

The Prime Minister also confirmed that all other non-essential retail including shops selling clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, books, and electronics, plus tailors, auction houses, photography studios, and indoor markets, will be expected to be able to reopen from 15 June if the Government’s five tests are met and they follow the COVID-19 secure guidelines, giving them three weeks to prepare.

Businesses will only be able to open from these dates once they have completed a risk assessment, in consultation with trade union representatives or workers, and are confident they are managing the risks. They must have taken the necessary steps to become COVID-19 secure in line with the current Health and Safety legislation.

My team and I are here to help during this crisis. You can email me at Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk, call me on 0207 2193713 (messages will be picked up), and my website www.cherilynmackrory.org.uk and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/thisischerilyn are all regularly updated with matters relating both to the current crisis and other useful news and information. Please do get in touch if you need any help or have questions for me.

Statement on Dominic Cummings from Cherilyn Mackrory MP

Statement on Dominic Cummings from Cherilyn Mackrory MP

Firstly, thank you to everyone who has contacted me about this issue. Trust me when I say you are not alone. I have received nearly one thousand emails about this, all from concerned constituents who feel like they have had an almighty kick in the teeth over the weekend. I can assure you that I have read every single one of them over the past few days and given a great deal of thought as to how I would respond and what position I should take on this. Let me be clear that I share plenty of your concerns.

Before I begin, I want to highlight the abuse that I have received regarding this matter. This is wholly unjust. I, like you, have been sticking to the word of the Government guidance. My team and I have worked hard to help thousands of constituents during the crisis. Abuse of any kind is wholly unacceptable and I will not tolerate it.

As for the issue at hand, know that I share your anger, frustration and annoyance. This is an unwelcome distraction at a time when the country could be united. United in our fight against an invisible killer. Right now I should be working with you, with businesses and with schools planning for the easing of lockdown. To ensure we get it right and to ensure we all remain protected. Instead, I have found myself spending days reassuring you that the guidance we all stuck to, was not open to interpretation. We should all be in this together.

After seeing the news unfold over the weekend, and after the sacrifices you have made over the last few months no doubt this hurts. Trust broken and integrity questioned. I know some will have lost loved ones over recent weeks, for that I am sorry.

I have never met Mr Cummings. However, I have no doubt that the actions he took he thought were just and necessary. Many in my constituency, and across the country, did not. For that, I feel, there needed to be an apology. It was not my understanding that the guidance and rules could be subject to interpretation. As I saw it, the guidance was there to be stuck to. To save the NHS from being overwhelmed.

For the past two months I have been clear; Stay away from Cornwall and from second homes. #comebacklater. Under no circumstances should you leave your primary residence to stay overnight elsewhere and many people have sacrificed a lot to stick to the guidance. This still remains the case. For Mr Cummings to travel 260 miles, knowing that he may soon be affected by COVID-19, is not acceptable.

As a wife and a mum, I do understand what Mr Cummings was trying to achieve by safeguarding his family. However, by making that journey, by taking that course of action, it may have endangered many, many more.

What Mr Cummings did may not have been illegal, but it did go against clear government advice. The Government advice that you and I, and the rest of the country, took at face value. Stay at home, save lives, protect the NHS. I am afraid, with the information I have seen, I simply cannot condone his actions in this case.

In addition to this, I also cannot condone the recent related actions of the press pack and the hounding of a parent holding his young son outside his home. We can all recall multiple cases where such actions by the media have inadvertently ended someone’s life and I will not add my voice to it. This has always been completely unacceptable to me and continues to be.

I have fulfilled my role by feeding our comments, both yours and mine, to Government but the future of Mr Cummings’ employment is a decision for the Prime Minister.

As your local MP I aim to be as approachable, compassionate and as understanding as possible. It is important that you can raise your concerns with me and that I listen. However, on this, I believe I have now offered a fair and reasonable response on the matter and will not debate it further. Too many people in Truro & Falmouth are struggling at the moment with their health and their businesses. I want to get back to helping them, not debating an issue whereby I agree with the sentiment of what you say anyway.

Prior to this I was already receiving hundreds of emails and letters from constituents every day and moving forward I wish to focus on this important casework, as I have been since my election in December.

I do hope this is helpful in explaining my position. If I can be of further assistance with any other matter, then please do not hesitate to contact me and I will endeavour to respond within my usual 10 working day target.

Best wishes and take care,

Cherilyn

Cherilyn Mackrory MP

Member of Parliament for Truro and Falmouth