Paul's MP October Newsletter: My thoughts on the Budget, the Fight for Closer Ties with the EU and New Malden visit!
Good to be writing to you again at the end of another packed month.
I’d like to provide you with an update of what I’ve been up to these past few weeks, both in Parliament and in the constituency across Wimbledon, New Malden, Raynes Park and Morden.
In Parliament:
Spoke up for closer ties with the EU
With Brexit returning to the spotlight, I spoke in a recent Westminster Hall debate about the need for closer ties with the European Union after receiving multiple requests to do so from my constituents. I campaigned in 2024 on a promise to push for further re-engagement with Europe, and I intend to keep making that argument.
I hear regularly from businesses in the constituency about how Brexit has damaged their operations. Whether it is La Bottega del Pane, the Italian bakery in South Wimbledon, or Gardenia of London, a florist in Wimbledon Village, any business seeking to import or export to Europe faces extreme difficulties.
Ultimately, I argued Brexit has done far more harm than good, and the time has come to start repairing the damage and restore Britain’s prosperity. I welcome the Prime Minister’s recent willingness to improve relations with our European neighbours - but he needs to be ambitious. The Liberal Democrats have a plan to negotiate a growth & defence partnership and join the customs union & single market. According to Goldman Sachs our plan will add at least £60 Billion pounds per year to the Chancellors tax revenues, which is why the Prime Minister must adopt our measures when he heads to the upcoming UK-EU summit.
You can watch a video of my speech here.
Opposed the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill
As the Liberal Democrats’ Northern Ireland Spokesperson, I was responsible for scrutinising the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill during its passage in the House of Commons where I decided my party must reject the current legislation.
The Government are rightly seeking to replace the Conservatives’ flawed Legacy Act 2023, which gave immunity to terrorists and put them on an equal footing with our brave veterans. The Tory approach was morally repugnant and legally flawed with the courts ruling it was incompatible with the human rights of victims such as the families of veterans and the many innocent people killed by terrorists during the Troubles. I therefore applaud the Government for trying to address this deeply complex issue that has left victims, from both traditions & the veteran community, with questions unanswered for years, notwithstanding the success of the Good Friday Agreement.
Regrettably, the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, as currently drafted, is unacceptable. It falls short on its three essential goals: protecting veterans, promoting reconciliation & providing answers to families who have waited decades. Working closely with veterans’ associations, I tabled 51 amendments, including every amendment suggested by the SAS Regimental Association, to try to improve the Bill. To my regret the Government rejected every one of our suggestions.
You can read my full statement here, and watch the video of my speech here.
Scrutinised the Budget
Towards the end of October, we had what we thought would be the biggest fiscal & political event of the year - the Budget.
However, it turned out to be an uneventful & benign Budget, which left more questions than answers.
Whilst I welcome some measures, the overall gist was a Labour Government postponing the difficult questions on welfare, defence, social care & growth. There is little in this Budget to truly turn the dial for ordinary people in Wimbledon, nor will it rise to the fundamental challenges facing our country.
Read further my thoughts on this here.
Met with the Met Police Commissioner
I recently met the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, in Parliament to raise concerns about neighbourhood policing in Wimbledon. Visible local officers provide vital reassurance to residents, businesses & communities, yet the Met’s funding has been cut by a third in real terms since 2015 and the force is now the smallest it has ever been per head of population.
The meeting is part of my ongoing campaign for a fairer funding settlement for the Met, which I set out in my monthly Wimbledon Times column. You can read it here.
In November, I will meet the Minister for Policing and Crime to keep pushing for the properly funded police service Londoners deserve.
In the community:
Visited local businesses in New Malden
On the weekend before the Budget, I braved the wind & rain to meet local businesses across New & Old Malden. It was great to speak with owners about the challenges they face and the measures they desperately need.
I am proud to represent such a diverse area, filled with great local businesses, and I will continue to do my best to ensure their voices are heard.
Round Table with Merton Chamber of Commerce
I held a post Budget breakfast meeting with Wimbledon businesses to ensure I was briefed on their views when I spoke in the Budget debate later that day. It is hugely valuable to speak to local people and businesses on different topics before speaking in Parliament as it helps me formulate my views and arguments on the issues confronting my constituency.
And, finally,
I’d like to say congratulations to my wonderful constituent, Charles Ozga, who received the Medal of Honour at the British Citizen Youth Award ceremony at the Palace of Westminster this October to honor his continuous community volunteering in Wimbledon.
Despite being only 6 years old, Charles is a true community champion. We are lucky to have him here in Wimbledon and he is a true testament to the brilliant community we have locally.
