I would like to wish everyone in Rugby and Bulkington a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
2017 has proved an eventful year with many significant events unfolding both here in Rugby and across the country as a whole. The focus of Government has been on the immense task of delivering on the referendum of June 23rd 2016 to take the UK out of the European Union. Parliament overwhelmingly voted to trigger Article 50 in February and begin the negotiations that will determine our future relationship with our partners in the EU. I have always been clear that I want to see the best possible deal for businesses in our community, to give them confidence and certainty to invest in our country. Earlier this month, the Prime Minister Theresa May announced alongside Donald Tusk, President of the European Commission, that sufficient progress has been made in the first stage of negotiations, including an agreement on protecting the rights of the 3 million EU citizens living in the UK and the 1 million British citizens living in the EU. This means that in the New Year we will be able to move forward and look to agree a mutually beneficial relationship, building on our history with our friends and neighbours in Europe, but also allowing us to become a truly global Britain.
In June, the British people went to the polls following the Prime Minister’s decision to call an early General Election. I would like to thank everyone in Rugby and Bulkington for their support and for placing their trust in me once more. Locally the result built on the excellent elections for Warwickshire County Council where Conservatives were returned with a substantial majority. The national result was undoubtedly disappointing for the Conservative Party, despite returning the most MPs, securing the most votes across the country, and winning the election. As we enter 2018, I recognise that we must do more to address the concerns of hard working families here and across the country but we must continue to do so in a way which keeps the public finances balanced to avoid jeopardising our hard fought economic recovery.
This year also reminded us of the dangers we face as a country. In London and in Manchester, terror struck our streets – most horrifyingly at a concert at Manchester Arena overwhelmingly attended by young people and children which saw 22 innocent people lose their lives in an appalling act of terrorism. Westminster itself was also the scene of an attack which saw PC Keith Palmer make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Attacks such as this remind us that we must stand together in the face of hatred and violence. Those who seek to damage us may do their worst, but in the face of their aggression we will always do our very best.
These horrific attacks bring the actions of our police and emergency service workers into sharp focus. Particularly at this time of year, I hope that everyone will join me in thanking all of them and the brave men and women of our armed forces for all that they do throughout the year to keep us safe – they run towards danger, when most people run away. I was honoured to be able to pay tribute in November to PC Palmer and his colleagues as part of the Commons & Lords Rugby Union Football Club, who raised over £8,000 for the Care Of Police Survivors charity through a game against the Metropolitan Police Rugby Football Club.
2017 also marked the 10th anniversary of Project Umubano, the Conservative Party’s Social Action Project in Rwanda. Many local residents will be familiar with the project thanks to my collection of old football shirts. Once again, the people of Rugby and Bulkington showed their tremendous generosity when I appealed for donations at the beginning of the year. By the time I flew to Rwanda, I was accompanied by three large boxes of football kit, which I know have been greatly appreciated by those who receive them.
Here in Rugby, we have also seen a great deal of change and transformation in our town. The first families are moving into Houlton, the 6,200 home development near Hillmorton, which will help to deliver the homes and facilities which are vital for Rugby’s growth and prosperity over the coming years. Many local residents will also have visited the Elliott’s Field Phase 2, which is bringing a greater range of shops to our town and is helping to attract new shoppers to Rugby from further afield. In the town centre, the shopping centre has received much needed investment and refurbishment and was officially reopened as Rugby Central just ahead of the busy Christmas season.
We are also continuing to see a great display of confidence in our town by businesses who are choosing to invest locally. The London Electric Vehicle Company opened the UK’s first purpose built car factory in 10 years on our town’s doorstep. The first of the new London electric taxis are now in use on the streets of the capital and will help reduce air pollution as well as being cleaner and more environmentally friendly. Other investment into our town this year has included the Hermes distribution hub at Rugby Gateway and the announcement of a £130m engineering and manufacturing Centre of Excellence by Meggitt.
2018 promises to be an exciting year. In May, the country will celebrate a Royal wedding and then in the summer the 2018 Football World Cup will take place in Russia. I know many residents will want to join me in wishing the very best of luck to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and the England football team! We will also mark the centenary of the end of the First World War and honour the sacrifices made by our armed forces over the last hundred years to keep us safe.
As we look toward 2018, I am confident that we can continue to build on the progress we have seen this year. The deficit is now less than a quarter of what it was in 2010, employment is at a record high and working families are paying over £1,000 less in tax than they did when I was first elected. I am also pleased that we are continuing to invest record amounts in our public services, meeting our commitment at the General Election to increase spending on NHS by £8 billion in real terms over this Parliament and delivering £1.3 billion extra for our schools – as well as introducing a fairer funding formula so that all schools get the resources they need.
Although there will undoubtedly be challenges over the next twelve months, I firmly believe it will be a good one for us here in Rugby & Bulkington and I hope that everyone has a happy, safe and successful 2018.