New role in government, democracy workshop and President Zelensky, by Michelle Donelan MP

Since I last wrote to you in this paper, I have now started a new role in Government as Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology.

The prime minister has put innovation, growth and opportunity at the heart of his five promises and through this new department he has created the vehicle that will help deliver those promises.

It is a huge step forward to achieve the ambitions we have for our constituency and our country, and some of the things I plan to get done include to ensure the UK is leading the world with scientific solutions in areas such as healthcare, climate change, and transport; to turbocharge tech jobs, tech skills and tech innovation; to make the UK the best place in the world to learn STEM skills; and to work to deliver the British people’s priorities of economic growth, prosperity and opportunity.

I recently ran one of my democracy workshops in Shaw CofE Primary School. I answered questions about democracy, spoke about the work I do for our community as their local MP, and what they want to change. I am always so impressed by the different topics brought up with me by the pupils, and it was wonderful to see how engaged these young residents of Shaw are.

Last week, President Zelensky addressed Parliament in Westminster Hall. He is a true inspiration to us all, and he spoke passionately about the need for freedom and democracy to prevail against the totalitarian aggression of Putin’s Russia. His words were powerful and moving, and he highlighted how this war can only be won through a united front of the western world.

President Zelensky detailed how the world needs British leadership, and Ukrainian bravery in order to protect the international rules-based system upon which global peace and prosperity ultimately depend.

Following concerns raised by several local residents, I called for a meeting with GWR managing director Mark Hopwood CBE. I used the opportunity to raise concerns about the delays and disruption that people have faced using the service from Melksham.

While some of the delays and disruption has been caused by industrial action and the weather, GWR are investigating and working to make the service from Melksham more reliable in future. At the time of writing, I have just finished my final Community Crime Forum with our police and crime commissioner, Philip Wilkinson and inspector Andy Lemon.

The latest session covered Bradford on Avon and the surrounding villages including and Holt, Staverton etc. Readers will remember that I have held sessions over the last couple of months for Melksham, Chippenham and Corsham.

I hope residents have found these sessions as useful as I and the local policing team have! Please do get in touch and let me know your feedback on these sessions.

As ever, if you would like to arrange a surgery appointment with me or need my help, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me by email, michelle.donelan.mp@parliament.uk, or by calling 01249 704465.