A week in Westminster - Stratford MP on tackling rail service and water bills
ONE thing that was already on the agenda for Stratford-on-Avon’s new MP even before the general election was a direct rail service between the town and London.
Commuting to the capital – as many people in Stratford know – could be much simpler if you didn’t have to travel via Leamington or Dorridge to London or the City of Westminster.
“Having commuted a few years ago for my work as university lecturer, I was prepared to commute again or to stay over when we have long sessions and debates in Parliament,” said Liberal Democrat Manuela Perteghella, after a hectic first week in the Commons on the back of an historic victory over the Conservatives in the general election. “The only thing that has changed is that at the time there was a direct train to London from Stratford. Now we are redirected through Leamington or Dorridge.
“As a candidate before the elections, I had already written to Chiltern Railways about the lack of direct trains from the capital to Stratford.”
The commute aside, Manuela told the Herald being in Parliament has been an exciting and overwhelming experience all at once.
“New MPs have to get to grip with a great amount of information, from processes and procedures to locating where all the main offices are, and attending a series of induction and training sessions,” she explained. “The training sessions were very useful and varied, ranging from setting up our constituency offices to hiring staff, from behaviour code training to IT induction, from security and safety to speaking and debating in the chamber.
“All new MPs were also sworn in as Members of Parliament, which was very moving. I shed a tear when I entered the House of Commons and sat on the green benches for the first time.”
There have been a few wrong turns – of the location kind, rather than political – but there are Parliament staff on hand to help and a buddy to show Manuela the ropes.
“I have learnt about the past and more recent history of the various places in Parliament and about the parliamentarians who created important laws in the past centuries,” she said.
Part of that history was about to be made yesterday (Wednesday) during the state opening of Parliament and the King’s Speech.
“MPs will then start debating the legislative programme of the new government and voting,” Manuela said. “I look forward to this very much. I also look forward to giving my maiden speech (my love letter to the constituency) and using the tools available to MPs to push for change, improve current law or introduce new policies and scrutinise new legislation. We can use motions, oral questions, written questions, private members bills, amendments to bills, and many other procedures, and we can sit on select committees.”
During her first week Manuela backed her first Parliamentary motion, urging Ofwat to rethink its “insulting” water bill rise (see page 12). Severn Trent Water, which supplies Stratford and surrounding areas, has announced a 23 per cent increase in bills.
Manuela said: “This is an insulting water bill hike in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis and whilst water firms continue to pump raw sewage into our rivers and brooks.
“Severn Trent should not be allowed to get away with this. Communities like ours voted to take tough action on these polluting and profiteering firms. The regulator and government must listen.”
Back in the Stratford constituency the case work and bread and butter meetings for an MP are under way.
“I have had a few meetings, including with the [Stratford] Town Transport Group to discuss the transport strategy and vision to tackle the awful congestion in and around Stratford; and met with local businesses to discuss anti-social behaviour incidents.”
She added: “I have lots of casework already which I must attend to, and some of this is urgent.”
This, Manuela expects, will keep her busy all summer (and beyond) but she has the backing of her husband and children.
“My family has been fantastic during and after the general election campaign, and have been very supporting. They understand the demands which come with being a public servant. I am very grateful.”
She is hopeful the work regime will allow here a few relaxing days with her family and dog, Coco.
