I’m grateful to the Daily Echo for providing space for a regular column, where I give my ‘view from Westminster’ and provide Echo readers with an update on my campaigns and news from across Southampton Itchen.
In case you missed it, here’s my latest column, which was published in the Echo last Friday.
As temperatures soar this weekend, many of us will be thinking about enjoying some time near or in the water. From the lively marina at Ocean Village to watersports on the River Itchen, we’re lucky to live in a city that is a gateway to so much that is enjoyable about our oceans and waterways.
But this week – which is Drowning Prevention Week – has also been a reminder of the dangers and unpredictability of the water, and an opportunity for me to give some much-needed prominence in Parliament to the topic of lifesaving water safety education.
I know that many Echo readers will recall the terrible and tragic drowning of two young people in the sea off Bournemouth beach two years ago. Since being elected last year, I have been privileged to meet and work with Vanessa Abbess, the mother of 17 old Joe Abbess from Southampton who tragically lost his life in the water that day. Vanessa has bravely shared her story and called for all young people to learn about the dangers of our waters in schools.
Swimming lessons are a start but they are not enough. Despite statutory guidelines, there is currently no form of water safety education on the National Curriculum, and I’m calling for there to be clearer requirements for all schools to teach classroom-based water safety education as a mandatory part of the curriculum.
Yesterday, I was pleased to welcome Vanessa to Parliament and chair a Backbench Debate on Water Safety Education. This was held in the main House of Commons chamber and was an opportunity for MPs to discuss ideas and improvements that could save more lives. I was pleased to be able to give this issue the prominence it deserves and to see MPs from across the political divide engage with this issue.
When I stood for election, I said I wanted to be my constituents’ voice in Parliament. This week was part of delivering on that promise. We’re now just a couple of weeks away from the first anniversary of the last General Election. I have enjoyed meeting so many of you over the last year and am still so grateful for the trust you placed in me when you cast your vote in July last year. From campaigning on leasehold reform and cladding, to dealing with the thousands of cases that you’ve raised with my office directly, I hope I’ve started to repay the trust you put in me. But I’m also aware that many of you feel that change is not happening fast enough and that there is so much we still need to. I’ll continue to do everything I can to fight to make sure that you feel the difference a Labour government makes here in Southampton.
As ever, if I can help with anything, do please get in touch at [email protected]
