This is my first article of the new year and, as always at this time of year, we look forward to things we hope to achieve in the coming months.
I very much hope that there will be a breakthrough in Ukraine. Putin must be defeated. He cannot be allowed to get away with an unprovoked invasion of a sovereign state and the horrific war crimes committed there in his name.
I hope also that here in the UK we get inflation down, the cost of living under control and start to see the seeds of economic growth. I am optimistic that this is achievable.
At a Parliamentary level, I have spoken in a recent debate in support of a Bill to ban trophy hunting – we really need to get this done. It was in all the manifestos and has wide cross-party support as well as almost universal support nationally. I honestly do not understand why it is taking so long. I am pleased the Bill has now passed its Second Reading.
I also led the debate that I put in for on the future of BBC local radio. My debate received wide support from across the House and, considering it was last thing on a Thursday afternoon, was well-attended. I have followed up my debate with letters to the BBC and Ofcom. I understand the BBC is looking at making cuts, but I would suggest they pay their ‘stars’ sensible salaries and save local radio news and journalism. If regionalisation goes ahead, local radio news will be sorely missed. Licence payers will not get the local news they want and great local radio journalists will lose their jobs. Rethink your plans BBC!
Contact Mike:
Web: www.penning4hemel.com
Email: mike.penning.mp@parliament.uk
Telephone: 01442 251126
