Campaigns

 

As Thames Water teeters on the brink of full collapse, at PMQs I asked the (current) Prime Minister to intervene in a case of sewage spilling into a pensioners garden in Wheatley. I then asked the Secretary of State of Environment to share the details of her preparations for taking Thames Water into Special Administration. If Thames Water is about to collapse financially, the Government needs to be ready. It was also great to meet with a local citizen scientist, Chris Szweda, in Henley about the prospect of our constituency getting the first UK use of a continuous water quality measuring device used in Paris.

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I also took a step forward on 'land lotting'; an issue affecting many of our villages, whereby agricultural and protected land is broken up into small house-sized lots and sold with the 'hope value' of development. I raised the issue with the Leader of the Commons, asking for a debate on the issue. Problems that arise from this include making it harder to manage the landscape and identify owners, as well as unauthorised development in protected areas.

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In Westminster

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On the topic of health, I gave one of the longest speeches I've been able to make in the Commons on a relatively unknown condition called PANS and PANDAS. Hosted by Liberal Democrat colleague, Wendy Chamberlain, the debate raised awareness of the neuropsychiatric condition, and the struggles families are facing across the country with a lack of recognition. I highlighted the wonderful Albie, who has been writing letters to the King and Prime Minister on behalf of his older brother. On the hottest day yet of the year, Albie and his mum braved the trains – and were heard at the highest levels. Well done them!

 

Regular readers of this newsletter will also know that Alzheimer's and dementia is close to my heart. I'll never forget a doorstep exchange I had with a lady in tears at the stresses and strains of caring for her husband with the condition. On behalf of my own grandfather who lived with Alzheimer's for many years under the care of my grandmother, I was pleased to host a showcase in Parliament for researchers from across the UK, including Oxford. One day I hope the pain I witnessed on the doorstep that time will be no longer.

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Across the constituency

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It was a delight also to speak to the winners at Henley College about their challenge to design a new logo for Riverside Counselling. The talent on display showed me that AI has a long way to go before it beats human ingenuity. I spoke of the importance of talking therapies and my own experiences of it. Sadly, access to these treatments is far too difficult on the NHS, and that's why we must treasure and support Riverside.

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And finally, as we mark two years since I was elected MP for Henley and Thame and our 18,000 casework milestone, I wanted to reiterate that I'm always here to help the constituents I continue to feel so proud to serve - please don't hesitate to contact me at freddie.van.mierlo.mp@parliament.uk should you ever need to.

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With very best wishes,

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Freddie van Mierlo MP

Henley & Thame