Wem Lib Dems

https://www.facebook.com/100069007726144/posts/620887713554814/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Yesterday, Andrew Sherringham won Worfield for the Lib Dems in the Shropshire Council by-election..Well deserved and a brilliant result as the Conservatives had over 75% of the vote previously and it was their safest seat. The Lib Dems are now clearly the growing force in Shirehall and the best hope of removing the current incompetent administration.

The overall majority is now down to just 5.

A superb, ground-breaki g set of Local Election results fir the Lib Dems. Over 400 seats won, overall control won in 12 more Councils and Tory control removed in dozens more.

Evidence that this Government's time is up. Their "priorities" are going nowhere, the cost of living crisis is affecting us all whilst oil and energy companies make obscene profits. They are completely out of touch and still trying to blame anyone except the party that has been in power for over a decade - themselves.

And these elections show that we want Councillors and MPs who work hard for the community rather than being invisible and working only to line their own pockets.

A thank you from us to you. Come and enjoy a thank you Bonfire Night at Soulton Hall, Wem
www.helenmorgan.org.uk/bonfire

Councillor Mark Williams - Highley Liberal Democrat councillor for Highley on Shropshire Council

It was a pleasure to have Helen visiting us this week!

This is how serious the ambulance situation has become
https://andybodders.co.uk/2022/05/26/17-august-2022-is-ambulance-domesday-in-the-west-midlands/

17 August 2022 is Ambulance Domesday in the West Midlands If you going to fall ill and likely to require an ambulance, you better get on with it. Certainly, don’t leave it until 17 August. Ambulance provision by West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) has …

The Liberal Democrats, supported by other opposition parties in Shirehall tried today to force an inquiry into the chronic ambulance situation in Shropshire. As Andy Boddington reports, the Tories have blocked it, ignoring the crisis:

https://andybodders.co.uk/2022/05/12/tories-chuck-inquiry-into-ambulance-crisis-into-the-long-grass/

Tories chuck inquiry into ambulance crisis into the long grass The inquiry will never happen now. A motion for an inquiry into the current ambulance crisis was kicked into touch today by Shropshire Council Conservatives. A wrecking amendment was presented by D…

What a stunning set of local election results for the Liberal Democrats
If you would like to join the winning team sign up here:
https://www.libdems.org.uk/join-local

Although there were no elections in Shropshire this time, there has been huge success for the LibDems across the country.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-61349440.amp

Election results 2022: Lib Dem gains mark turning point, says Davey Leader Sir Ed Davey has hailed wins for his party at local elections, with over 180 new councillors elected.

Here’s my weekly update!

🩺I was joined by more than 80 people in St. Martin's on Saturday, to protest against the permanent closure of their only GP practice. The residents of St. Martin's and Ifton Heath have been without a local GP since the start of the pandemic. I'm fighting to get the practice re-opened or replaced.

🗳Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday saw a whole series of Parliamentary votes on Bills that the Government were keen to wrap up before the current Parliamentary session ended. They included the Health and Care Bill, the Judicial Review and Courts Bill, the Nationality and Borders Bill and The Elections Bill.

⚡️On Tuesday, I continued to have video meetings with a number of constituents to help them with various problems. I was also briefed on heat pumps and the move to electrify heating - an issue that affects an awful lot of my constituents, who are off-grid.

💷 On Wednesday, I was on BBC 5 Live answering callers' questions, alongside Conservative Paul Bristow and Labour's Toby Perkins. We talked about how to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, an issue at the top of voters' minds. It was clear from the offset that this Government has simply run out of ideas.

🗳Later on Wednesday, I attended the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Eating Disorders - an issue that we must do far more to address. I then met with the Votes at 16 group. I believe It is vital for our democracy that we encourage 16- and 17-year-olds to get more engaged.

🚜 The day ended at the National Farmer’s Union and the report on growing agri-food exports by 2030. The current crisis in Ukraine has put farming issues at the front and centre. I continued focusing on farmers on Thursday, when I urged the Environment Minister in Parliament to continue the Basic Payments Scheme that so many farmers rely on.

🛂 Thursday concluded with an Urgent Question on Ukraine, bought forward by my colleague Wendy Chamberlain MP. In the debate, I raised the heart-breaking story of a 10-year-old Ukrainian
refugee who is still waiting to receive her visa. I know lots of you have experienced issues surrounding the UK Visa and Immigration office and I can assure you that my team and I are doing all we can to resolve your problems and put pressure on this Government to fix the process.

📧 The House of Commons is now in recess for a week, as it’s the end of the Parliamentary session, so next week I’ll be able to spend even more time in North Shropshire. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me by emailing [email protected], if you have any questions or concerns.

We have no local elections in Shropshire this May, but the picture across the country is one of total disaster for the Tories. Their sleaze and lying has caught up with them and they will lose hundreds of local council seats, many to the resurgent Lindems!

Too much for one post!

Part 2:

On Thursday I spoke in the debate on privilege on the importance of upholding standards of honesty in politics. Here’s a little snippet from my speech: “I remind colleagues from all parties that I stand in this place today, in this privileged position, representing the wonderful people of North Shropshire, partly because the great British public, whom we are here to represent, really do care about standards in British politics.” If you want to read my full speech you can do so here.

Friday saw me join other MPs representing Shropshire to meet with Severn Hospice, the Marches Local Enterprise Forum, and then attend a briefing from Shropshire Council about a host of local issues.

Throughout the week my team and I continued to work through our casework and have made some progress in obtaining the relevant paperwork for families fleeing war in Ukraine. There are dozens of families in North Shropshire who have opened their hearts and homes to help, and I am extremely grateful to them.

That’s all for this week. As always please don’t hesitate to contact me on [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.

Best wishes,

Helen Morgan MP

As we know, Helen is working hard fur us all. Her update this week
Dear friend,

I hope you’re well. This week was our first week back in Parliament after Easter Recess. Here's what I got up to:

On Tuesday I urged the Health Secretary in Parliament for additional resource for social care in Shropshire to ease the problem of ‘bed-blocking’ in our hospitals. It was welcome news to hear that even the Health Secretary recognises my campaign to tackle our healthcare crisis. You can view my question to the Health Secretary here.

I was proud to support my colleague Tim Farron’s Sewage Discharges Bill that would ban water company bosses receiving bonuses whilst sewage is still spilling into rivers. It would also ask for mandatory targets and timescales for the end of sewage discharges into waterways and coastal areas. I’m proud that our party are fighting for clean rivers and seas, it’s time to send this government a message that they cannot let water companies and their bosses keep getting away with dumping sewage. You can read more about Tim’s bill here.

I also listened to statements from the Prime Minister on his penalty for breaking Covid laws, and from the Home Secretary on the scheme to resettle immigrants in Rwanda.

On Wednesday I met with SANDS, a stillbirth and neonatal death charity who do vital work in reducing the number of babies dying and ensuring that anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best possible care.

We discussed the findings of the Ockenden Report and how to ensure they are properly implemented and crucially that this never happens again.

I also met with the West Mercia police to discuss on-going road safety concerns in the Parish of Woore and to find a solution to improving the situation there

I then met with Diabetes UK to discuss improving healthcare provisions and outreach after the pandemic.

Then it was off to a meeting with the bank TSB to discuss financial security and fraud prevention, a crime that is all too common.

Helen's weekly update: working hard for us.
Dear friend,

I hope you’re well and enjoying your Easter weekend.

This week is the second week of easter recess, so I again spent it in North Shropshire meeting residents and raising issues on their behalf.

On Monday, I visited the Shropshire Union canal society to see their current work and to discuss plans for the future on the Montgomery Canal near Crickheath.

I also had the pleasure of talking to Woore parish council that evening, to discuss HS2 and my broader role as an MP.

On Tuesday I continued raising casework with the relevant Government departments.

Of course, the news that day was dominated by one issue, the Fixed Penalty Notices issued to Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak. As I told BBC Radio Shropshire the other day it is clear that the Prime Minister and the Chancellor lied to the country, they must now resign. We all made a collective sacrifice, we all have a story about a time we didn’t visit a loved one in order to protect the NHS.

On Wednesday I met with colleagues in the House of Lords.

Thursday I was in Oswestry, busy meeting several constituents at my weekly surgeries. If you would like to book a surgery or raise an issue, please email me at [email protected]

This weekend I’ll be joining many in taking time off with my family and friends. Whether you’re celebrating a religious holiday like Easter or Passover, or simply spending time with family and friends I wish you all the best.

Best wishes,

Helen Morgan MP

Geoff Soul on Twitter “Boris Johnson is to be fined for breaking the very rules that he imposed whilst the country, including the Queen, carefully followed the law. By any standards of integrity, honesty and decency he must resign. But he has no integrity, honesty or decency. Disgusting.”

And Helen has been very involved with the Ukrainian crisis:

One of the most pressing issues we have had to deal with is the Ukranian refugee resettlement scheme. I can assure you that my team and I are working around the clock to get updates from the Home Office on individual cases.

If you would have applied for the scheme and need help, or need help with any other issue please do contact me on [email protected] and we will try our best to resolve it for you.

That's all for this week! Please email [email protected] if there's anything me or my team can do to help you.

Best Wishes,

Helen Morgan MP

Helen's weekly report. Such a refreshing change to have a caring, committed MP!

Dear friend,

I hope you’re well. This week was parliamentary recess, so I’ve been back in North Shropshire.

As always, please do not hesitate to email [email protected] if you’d like to get in contact with me on any issues.

Here’s what I’ve been up to this week:

Over the weekend I was on BBC Midlands Sunday Politics to talk about the Ockenden Review and the ongoing cost of living crisis. You can watch the full episode here.

On Monday I visited Lakelands Academy. I heard from many students and teachers alike who were working incredibly hard but struggling with the lack of support from the Government after the covid-19 pandemic. I’m proud that my Liberal Democrat colleague Munira Wilson is leading the charge on this issue, and I’ll be backing her all the way. You can read more about our party’s plan on education plan here.

I also visited the Dogs Trust rehoming centre in Roden, where we discussed the phenomenal work they do to give the dogs they care for a warm and safe environment. The staff there work incredibly hard, and it was also good to hear they have eco-friendly facilities. I somehow managed to resist the urge to take one of their beautiful greyhounds home with me!

On Tuesday I travelled to Oswestry and met with the brilliant team at Oswestry Life Magazine, while sampling the fantastic croissants at Niche Patisserie in Oswestry. I also met with Oswestry Methodist Pre-School who provide a fantastic service to the local community, and heard about the funding challenges they face.

This week we got the news of yet another failed bid for funding in public transport from Shropshire County Council. The news is incredibly disappointing. Our towns and villages need a huge investment in public transport to connect people with jobs and services but now they will be more isolated than ever.

I also continued to deal with casework on a wide variety of issues

Here’s a list of some of the other things I’ve done this week:

I attended Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy questions.

I attended a debate on Long Covid, tabled by my Liberal Democrat colleague Layla Moran MP.

I continued to raise casework issues on behalf of constituents.

I attended Prime Minister’s Questions.

I continued to receive briefings surrounding the ongoing war in Ukraine.

I attended a meeting with Woore Parish Council to discuss HS2 and car speed limits

I spoke to regional and national media about the release of the Ockenden Report and our ambulance response times debate.

I was really proud to open the Weston Wharf Station which has been lovingly restored by Cambrian Heritage Railway.

That's all for this week! Please email [email protected] if there's anything me or my team can do to help you.

Best Wishes,

Helen Morgan MP

Member of Parliament for North Shropshire

Helen's update

Dear friend,

I hope you’re well. Here is my update on everything I’ve been up to this week.

As always, please do not hesitate to email [email protected] if you’d like to get in contact with me on any issues.

Ockenden report

This Wednesday saw the release of Donna Ockenden’s report into maternity services at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust. The report made for heart-breaking reading.

I attended the Health Secretary’s statement in Parliament and thanked all the families who bravely came forward to share their experiences. I urged him to follow Donna Ockenden’s recommendations, including an immediate investment of £200 to £350 million.

You can find more of what I said in the statement here.

I will continue to work with colleagues across Parliament to ensure the report's recommendations are implemented in full. We must do everything we can to make sure the deaths of 201 babies are not in vain.

Ambulance Services debate

As I mentioned last week, I managed to secure a debate in parliament on the issue of ambulance response times in Shropshire. Yesterday, the debate took place and you can watch it by clicking here.

I reached out to my constituents and asked them to share their stories and I was met with a tidal wave of responses.

In my speech to the Minister of State for Health, Edward Argar, I urged him to do everything he could to resolve this crisis, including passing my colleague Daisy Cooper’s Ambulance Waiting Times bill and commissioning the Care Quality Commission to investigate the root causes of the problem.

I was delighted that he agreed to meet with me, and fellow Shropshire MPs to discuss the ongoing crisis.

I promised you when I was elected that I would make tackling this crisis one of my key priorities. I’m incredibly pleased that Parliament discussed this matter and that the Health Secretary agreed to meet with me, and I will continue to do all I can to resolve this crisis for once and for all.

Fix the Ambulance Crisis for North Shropshire

Today, 20 people were issued Fixed Penalty Notices for breaking COVID rules in events at 10 Downing Street, with Johnson's knowledge.

But he still says no law was broken. Is this the ultimate in blatant gaslighting? Do not believe what you hear and read. Believe whatever lies I throw at you.

Today marks 100 days since polling day, and since I became the first ever Lib Dem MP for North Shropshire 🔶

To celebrate we have teams out delivering leaflets and knocking on doors across the constituency 🥳

I want to take a moment to reflect back on what we have managed to achieve so far:

🗣 I made my maiden speech and asked a question to the Prime Minister on ambulance waiting times on my first day in parliament

✅ I’ve recruited a fabulous staff team in Jack, Joanna, & Tom. With new staff members Alex, Chris, Harry, and Vijay all set to come onboard soon.

🏢 I have signed for & moved into a brand new constituency office in Wem, which we will be officially opening soon

🚑 I’ve secured a parliamentary debate next Thursday on Ambulance waiting times in Shropshire

🗳 I’ve already voted 64 times in parliament, including on important issues like making it easier for Ukrainian refugees to come to the UK and also voted for a windfall tax on energy company profits

📝 I’ve tabled two Early Day Motions (EDMs), one on support for the pig farming industy, and another on regulation and support for off-grid households

🖊 I’ve added my name in support to an additional 17 EDMs, including the Post Office Horizon compensation scheme, and support for veteran homelessness

👩‍💼 I’ve made a total of 11 spoken contributions, on topics such as the cost of living crisis, and on the Tory tax increases

✏️I’ve submitted 19 written questions on a range of issues, such as home care services in rural areas, and levelling up funds for our towns

💻 I have launched online & in person constituent advice surgeries, and started planning for a constituency summer tour

☎️ The team and I have started work on over 1000 individual items of casework for the residents of North Shropshire

🚜 I’ve joined All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) on Rural Services and also APPG for Equitable Life

🖼 I attended constituency events including Whitchurch Caldecott Art Festival, and Wem Rotary Club Lunch

💆‍♀️ I’ve met with a number of local business owners, including a local award winning distillery, and officially opened a new Salon

⚠️ I had a briefing from HS2 & discussed ongoing road safety concerns with Woore Parish Council

🏫 I have visiting a number of local schools, including SJT in Whitchurch & the Grove in Market Drayton, with a visit booked in for the Marches in Oswestry

👱‍♀️I’ve discussed issues that matter to young people in North Shropshire, including conversations with some of our Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs)

👨‍💼 I’ve attended numerous briefings with Council Officers, Shropshire and Telford Hospitals, and other bodies and agencies

🌽 I have called for more support for our farmers and attended the “Save British Farming” rally

💧I visited and offered to support the flooded parishes of Melverley and Kinnerley

🚗 I met with Baroness Vere, government minister for driving centres and called on the DVSA to work with the Town Council looking at alternative proposals to keep the centre open

👨‍⚕️ I had a call with the regional manager and wrote the North Wales CHC and obtained a temporary delay and review of the decision to close the St Martins branch of Chirk GP surgery

In the by-election I promised to be a hard working local MP, and I’ve started as I intend to go on, I will never take you for granted.

Thank you to the countless constituents, and volunteers, who’ve made this such a pleasure so far. Here’s to the next 100 days and beyond!

Helen continues to work tirelessly. Here's her report for this week

Dear friend,

Here is my weekly update on the work I'm doing across North Shropshire.

Please email me at [email protected] if you'd like to get in contact with any issue I can help with.

Here's just some of the things I've done in the last week:

I raised a point of order on Shropshire’s ambulance crisis. I then successfully applied for an Adjournment Debate in Parliament on ambulance waiting times in Shropshire.

I spoke in a debate on the impact of the cost of living increase on pensioners.

I raised awareness of families having to choose between heating and eating and urged the Work & Pensions minister to do more to help them.

I attended the Chancellor’s spring statement. I joined my colleagues in urging the Chancellor to do more to help people tackle the cost of living, calling for him to scrap his unfair national insurance tax hike and cut VAT to 17.5%.

I met with the Jewish Leadership Council to discuss to learn more about tackling anti-Semitism and how I can support them.

I attended and spoke to Oswestry Town Council.

I intervened in a debate to raise awareness of the National Insurance increase and the devastating impact it would have on millions of families.

I attended a meeting with representatives of Shropshire Parish Councils to discuss broadband infrastructure, hospital waiting times and flood defences.

I visited Market Drayton on Friday to hold in-person surgeries and meet with residents.

I visited The Grove School in Market Drayton and heard about their vision for improved sports facilities for the town and community.

I visited Tranquil Still artisan distillery and learned about their award-winning spirits.

Helen