Welcome to the first roundup of my work for you following the 2024 General Election
Welcome to my July roundup where you can read all about what I’ve been up to for the past month. As your Member of Parliament, I’ve continued to work on various issues raised by fellow residents via email, telephone, at my surgeries and while out knocking on doors speaking to residents across Chester and Neston.
As we approach the month of August I’ve been busy speaking to residents to find out their key issues and priorities for our Chester, Neston and the surrounding villages. Earlier this month I was pleased to see that our City has been recognised as a top shopping and retail destination, this was a key pledge in my by-election campaign in 2022.
As always, if you have any issues or questions about Government policies I can help with, please drop me a line at samantha.dixon.mp@parliament.uk
Firstly, I’d like to say thank you to all the residents of Chester North & Neston. I’m honoured to have the chance to represent you all for the next five years. While I’m disappointed at the splitting of our city by the Boundary Commission, I have enjoyed my visits to community organisations in Neston and meeting hundreds of Neston and Parkgate residents while out campaigning in the General Election. I look forward to working and meeting many more residents and organisations in the months to come.
I am pleased the General Election returned 411 Labour MPs who will work hard to deliver the change we were elected to deliver. Whether you voted for me or not, I will work hard do represent everyone in my constituency and work with new and returning colleagues to deliver what is best for Chester North and Neston.
Following the General Election, I was honoured to be asked to serve as the Vice-Chamberlain of His Majesty’s Household. This is a senior position in the Government Whips office which carries several historical quirks as a role, this included me being “held hostage” in Buckingham Palace as The King delivered his speech in the Houses of Parliament as well as delivering a daily update to His Majesty about each sitting day of Parliament. This role also means I will be at the heart of delivering the legislation that this Labour Government was elected to deliver and ensuring it is passed through Parliament so that we can deliver the change we promised.
Following the General Election, we’ve hit the ground running in Westminster. Outside of the Chamber, I was pleased to attend a number of meetings with Ministers and Secretaries of State to discuss issues important to Chester North and Neston. These included a productive meeting with the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, to discuss improvement to SEND provision, an issue I know is important to so many across Chester North and Neston. I also spoke with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to champion the history and culture of our local area. I look forward to working alongside Government Ministers to advocate for our great constituency and everything it has to offer.
In the Chamber, there is plenty for residents to be excited about with several key announcements and the King’s Speech outlining with nearly 40 Bills that will make their way through this Parliament. Work on renationalising our railways began this week as the first Bill put forward by this Labour Government. Following another train cancellation by Avanti on my way down to Westminster and continuous complaints from constituents regarding the services, this news couldn’t come soon enough.
The King’s Speech also outlined several bills that will help unlock the economic growth our country so desperately needs. While introducing new employment rights to ensure the economic growth benefits all of society. Devolution is also a key feature in the speech, with the Better Buses Bill set to give the powers back to local residents, when deciding the bus services in our area.
As I so often highlight in these newsletters, we have some fantastic charities and local people in our area. I recently got to visit the Neston Community Youth Centre to learn about the work they are doing for local people young and old.
The King’s Speech set out several Bills that will help us achieve our mission of breaking down the barriers to opportunity at every stage. From more breakfast clubs at schools to dedicated mental health professionals, we need to equip our young people for the future and ensure they live up to their potential. This includes the measures we are undertaking to make the NHS fit for the future, to ensure the services you need are there when you need them.
The end of July and August is blessed with the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Games continue to help inspire new generations to take up sport which will help them lead happier and healthier lives. Summer is always a great time to try something new and I welcome the events Cheshire West and Chester Council are organising this summer for our local people. Please visit the Council’s School Holiday Activity page to find out more.
I’d like to end this month’s newsletter by again thanking you all for taking an interest in our area and signing up for this newsletter. Now I am part of the Government, I look forward to working closely with my colleagues to ensure this Government delivers the service that residents in Chester, Neston and our villages deserve.
As always, if you have any ideas or issues, please get in touch at samantha.dixon.mp@parliament.uk
Best Wishes,
Samantha Dixon MBE, MP
Chester North & Neston