October Column published by The Hillingdon Herald
Following my win against the odds and media expectations during the summer, I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the Hillingdon Herald as your newly elected local MP. Thanks to all of you who supported me across the constituency. I’ve now been formally sworn in as the MP for Uxbridge & South Ruislip and I am pleased to share this update with you in what I hope is the first of many ‘columns’ for this local newspaper.
Soon after the election, my focus was once again on engaging myself with my local community. During a visit to Community ConneX at St. Paul’s Church, Ruislip Manor, I learnt about how the organisation offers a fun, flexible and fulfilling service for people with autism and learning disabilities. I also met with the Daniella Logun Foundation (DLF) at St. Matthew’s Church, Yiewsley. DLF is a key local charity supporting children with brain tumours and their families. I was invited to hear about their ambitious goals for increased research, family support and a children’s hospice.
Giving our children and grandchildren the best possible chance in life is part of my plan as your MP. It is why I want to see Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) places expanded across the area; this is something that I know is well supported by Hillingdon Council.
To celebrate Heritage week and to mark the Battle of Britain Day, I visited the Battle of Britain Bunker in Uxbridge. The Bunker is a remarkable site and one that I would recommend visiting. Furthermore, I accompanied constituents on a post-modern architecture walk. It was great to meet Urban Sociologists from Brunel University and hear their enthusiasm for keeping Uxbridge High Street booming.
Speaking to business owners in and around Uxbridge, they inform me that ensuring the safety of their customers and staff is very important. This is why, as part of my plan, I want to ensure we guarantee the 3,666 extra police in London as promised by the Government. It is only with more police on the beat that we can keep the community safe, ensuring Uxbridge High Street can continue to be as vibrant as it is.
I was slightly daunted to ask my first ever question in the House of Commons. Directed to the Home Office, I called for Sadiq Khan to keep Uxbridge Police Station open; ensuring it is fully operational, including a full custody suite and 24/7 counter.
We know how important having this service is, and so do our local police. Therefore, I want residents to know that I am doing everything I can to save our Police Station from Khan’s cuts.
Continuing to work closely with local councillors, this month I went around Hillingdon East with Councillor Wayne Bridges. We assessed recent developments such as the duck pond at Elephant Park, and how the structure of the landscape has changed to prevent floods. We are fortunate to be the ‘Greenest Borough’ in London, and I am committed to protecting our green spaces.
We are also fortunate to have some top class local football teams in our area: Wealdstone FC, Uxbridge FC and Hillingdon Abbots FC have all invited me to visit and I am looking forward to working with them on their expansion plans for teams for girls and younger people.
It truly is an incredible honour to be elected to serve the community that has welcomed me and my family and of which I have been a part of all my life.
As your MP, local issues and standing up for you comes first – it always will.
If you would like to find out more about my plan for Uxbridge & South Ruislip, please do email me at [email protected] or visit my new website at steve-tuckwell.uk
