A new Parliament, and especially this one, is always supercharged with activity. I am busy at the Department of Health and we’ve a packed legislative agenda in Government time. Meanwhile, last month’s Summer Budget has fired all of that up and there are, as I am learning is the business of Government, obviously some big battles ahead.
However, in addition to all of that there are always big moments in any Parliament which test so much more than your politics. One such example comes early in September when a newly elected Labour MP will bring his Private Members’ Bill before the Commons. The Assisted Dying Bill is not new, it emerged during the last session under the stewardship of Lord (Charlie) Falconer, but as we expected it’s back and demanding the attention of MPs.
As a Christian I do, of course, have strong views but over the Summer break I want to read as widely as I can on the subject, study the legislation itself and have various groups coming to see me. I will be present for the debate (and vote) and will seek to catch Mr Speaker’s eye. If you have views, and especially personal experiences you feel you can share with me, I would be honoured to hear from you. Please write or email [email protected]
Regular readers will know of my work on cancer in the last Parliament and that focus has not faded. This month we had the launch of a comprehensive report from the Independent Cancer Taskforce which opens with the sobering fact that some 27m people alive in England today will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. Yet, while progress hasn’t been uniform, we do know the ten year survival rates in this country are improving all the time. Still though we must do better.
We want to have the best cancer survival rates in the world and we need to for the sake of our NHS in the future. The report outlines six strategic priorities including a radical upgrade in prevention and public health and a national ambition to achieve earlier diagnosis. You can find the report via www.cancerresearchuk.org
Finally for this time, I am once again throwing open my allocations of PMQs tickets to my constituents in a series of free and fair ballots. Do visit www.stevebrine.com/PMQs or call 01962 791110 if you wish to take part.
Steve Brine MP
