Today is the last sitting day of Parliament before the Summer recess. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your invaluable support this year.
BREXIT
In recent weeks the Government has published its White Paper on our future relationship with the EU. This is a huge ongoing subject on which there are intensive negotiations ahead of the October summit, following which it will become clear that we have either reached the outlines of a deal on trade and our future relationship. This deal will then have a meaningful vote in Parliament and then, before 29 March 2019, the final deal will be signed by both sides.
Having read and analysed the White Paper in great detail, I believe that our Government has a comprehensive and well prepared negotiating framework which provides a solid basis for our negotiations.
L-R Sue King, George Eustice MP, Edwin Draper, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, David Thomas, Steve Kilminster
At the meeting, the Commoners and I repeated our principal concern that Commons need to be treated differently. The Minister said they Defra have created separate categories for upland farmers and the graziers hope this can be extended to all Commons.
A separate issue for the Commoners has been traffic regulations on the Common. The Commoners rightly want stricter speed restrictions on the Common as they are concerned about the ongoing distress and fatalities with their animals grazing on the Common. I have contacted Gloucestershire Highways to push for a solution for this matter.
Windrush Valley Flower Show
I was delighted to attend the opening of the annual Windrush Valley Flower Show at Great Barrington Village Hall.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown at the Flower Show
Set in the beautiful landscape of the Windrush Valley an excellent display of flowers, flower arrangements and arts and crafts was on display along with wonderful refreshments including homemade cakes, teas, ice cream and Pimms.
Cotswold Canals Project
An interesting and informative time was had by all during my recent trip down the Cotswold Canal near Stroud thanks to the Cotswolds Canals Trust along with Chief Constable Rod Hansen and David Hagg, Chief Executive Stroud District Council. The Cotswold Canals traverses 36 miles between the River Severn at the Saul Junction and the River Thames at Lechlade.
L-R Chief Constable Rod Hansen, Cllr Ken Tucker, Ian Mean, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Ken Wenman and David Hagg
I have worked closely with the Cotswold Canals Trust to ensure that this stretch of water is restored and managed to the highest standards. The Trust promote the benefit to the community of the canal and promote the restoration of the waterway and towpaths for the purposes of navigation, recreation, heritage, landscape and wildlife conservation.
St Andrews C of E Primary School, Chedworth Visit
I hugely enjoyed meeting with pupils from St Andrews Church of England Primary School in Chedworth during their visit to Parliament’s Education Centre.
I firmly believe that all school pupils across the country should visit the Mother of all Parliaments at least once in their life as it is important for our younger generations to feel a connection to this place.
I was delighted to field a lively Q&A session with the pupils and teachers and was impressed by some of the political knowledge that the children had learnt during their trip.
Adjournment Debate
I will be speaking in the General Adjournment Debate in the Chamber later today. I intend to raise a number of issues that are of significant importance the constituency, namely the local authority funding in Stroud District Council, A417 ‘missing link’, the Fire Service College and the ongoing debate over a Cotswolds National Park. To view this debate follow this link.
