Political Editors Letter -The Independent

@andywoodcock  www.independent.co.uk

The past few days in Westminster have been like nothing that anyone in parliament can remember.

The doors are still open and debates still taking place, but the palace has lost its bustle and many MPs think it’s only a matter of time before they will be sent home.

Parliament continued to sit throughout the Second World War. But that was a time when the threat came from outside, from enemy bombing, not from MPs infecting one another – and potentially their constituents – with a deadly virus.

Indications are that the Commons authorities will do everything they can to avoid actually taking the hugely symbolic act of closing the door on the home of the UK’s democracy.

But there are discussions under way at the highest levels on options for reducing the risk of spread, largely by limiting the requirement for MPs and officials to come into close contact.

On Wednesday, MPs were told to enter the chamber for prime minister’s questions only if they were listed to speak, and to maintain their distance from one another on the green benches if they did.

And there are proposals to allow voting by paper slip rather than by walking through the crowded lobbies, allowing votes to go ahead with fewer than 40 MPs present or even permitting party whips to cast a vote on behalf of all members.

While all MPs accept the need to minimise the risk of infection, an increasing number feel uneasy with anything that will limit their ability to scrutinise the government – particularly at a time when a new Coronavirus Bill is granting ministers sweeping new powers to do anything from shutting airports to suspending jury inquests.

Hence the flurry of attempts to restrict the duration of the emergency powers, with Labour insisting they should be renewed every six months, rather than allowed to last for two years as ministers propose.

And hence the increasing chatter in the tearooms about a government of national unity.

Boris Johnson has repeatedly compared his administration’s actions on Covid-19 to those of a wartime government. In both world wars, it was a matter of months before prime ministers formed coalition ministries.

Already MPs are starting to ask: if the country is being asked to pull together in a great national effort, if there is any question of infringing on parliament’s ability to scrutinise the executive; and if ministers are proposing to take on extraordinary powers lasting as long as two years, is it time to invite leading representatives of opposition parties into the government?

It seems improbable to most now. But recently, what seems improbable one day has a habit of coming true two or three days later.

Yours,

Andrew Woodcock Political editor

Our Natural Health Service

In 1945, the nation was promised and needed its new National Parks, described by Ministers at the time as the “Natural Health Service”. These were created to help offer improved health and wellbeing for everyone, alongside the newly created NHS. Today, both the NHS and our National Parks are a cherished national resource and play a vital role in the wellbeing of our communities and society.

A Dorset National Park was recommended in the 1945 first official report on National Parks. The Government has made a commitment to establish new National Parks and we look forward to early action to make this commitment a reality. National Parks help people and nature to thrive. More than ever, Dorset deserves and needs a National Park. It is unfinished business and long overdue.

Some of the building blocks are in place. At this challenging time for us all, we can celebrate the announcement of the UK’s first Super National Nature Reserve here in Dorset: see www.theguardian.com . Seven organisations and landowners have come together to create this Super-NNR. As Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said, this is a landmark project: “Purbeck Heaths is a trailblazing example of how landscape-scale conservation can help wildlife thrive, improve people’s well-being, and build resilience to climate change.” The Super-NNR is a welcome step towards a Dorset National Park. A National Park would bring additional resources and expertise so we can create even more linkages and stronger partnerships across Dorset. “Good things happen when people work together.”

Working through partnerships lies at the heart of the way National Parks operate. A Dorset National Park Partnership should be part of a positive and restorative vision for our future. It would contribute to a successful and sustainable economic recovery and a greener future for farming and the countryside and help ensure a thriving, healthy future for our communities, economy and environment, Dorset-wide. It would work to support and improve physical and mental health and wellbeing for local people and visitors, of all ages. As independent research shows, a National Park can deliver great benefits for Dorset and the nation.

Dorset’s environment is here to inspire and encourage us all, lift our spirits and provide space for us to enjoy a breath of fresh air! With a National Park we can achieve even more for nature and for people. Please enjoy the website, keep in touch with National Park News, join the Facebook group and share your photographs.

Keep safe and best wishes from the Dorset National Park Team.

The coronavirus emergency is often spoken of as a war, as indeed it is. Like all wars, it is asking a lot of people, it is reminding us all of how much we rely on “key workers” and how much we take many of our public services and our way of life for granted. When we emerge from this crisis, the world will feel very different and there will be a lasting public impact.

Sean O’Grady @_seanogrady  www.independent.co.uk

Wars leave a lasting social and political legacy. By the looks of it, so will the war against Covid-19. The welfare state is making a bit of a comeback. Frankly, for some time now the social security system was something that most of the population didn’t give much thought to. Now, there is talk of another million on the dole. People are suddenly facing up to being thrown back on their own scant resources. They are realising just how useless the modern welfare safety net can be – the £94 per week for statutory sick pay being the emblem of all the injustices now bundled into the dysfunctional Universal Credit system.

Even those fortunate enough to hang on to their jobs will be having second thoughts about an economic system that can see you go from full time, if precarious, employment – “just about managing” – to eviction and homelessness in a matter of weeks. How many Conservatives can be content to see people who have built up their own successful small business over decades pushed into poverty through no fault of their own? Or “rescued” via another huge debt loaded into their backs? There is a powerful sense of injustice around these shocking events.

The NHS will also come out of this renewed public respect. Even The Sun has got behind NHS staff in the way usually reserved for the armed forces, with an “I heart NHS” poster. I doubt any political party will ever dare to underfund the NHS again under the cover of “austerity” or “reform”. No ifs, no buts, the NHS will get the kit and the staff it needs. Suddenly we realise the inestimable value – and reliability – of a system of social insurance. There is no private insurance-based health system that could ever deal with an epidemic such as this. That is a crucial, abiding lesson of current events. We seem to have had enough of private affluence and public squalor. 

I have to add a note of bitterness. Remember how, not so long ago, the same sections of the media now praising brave NHS medics were publishing all those stories about the inefficient, bloated wasteful health service with its greedy overpaid doctors, waiting lists and dirty wards? Remember the denials and spin during the election about the boy on the floor of a ward?

From some columnists’ half-baked accounts about the superbug and the like, you’d think that anyone was lucky to get out alive from a spell in an NHS hospital. There was lots of talk about reducing it to a “safety net” service for the poor who can’t afford health insurance. It was allowed the bare minimum, if that, to try to keep up with public expectations. Its inevitable failings were used to justify further cuts, thus setting the NHS up for more failure and justifying dismantlement and marketisation. The American system was lauded for its lavish care. The Europeans were set up as a model of competitive efficiency. Not so much now.

Much the same goes for the BBC. All of a sudden, a nation stuck at home worrying is turning to a gold standard, trusted source for facts, guidance and realistic reporting. The BBC will entertain the nation as it grinds through this crisis, with its box sets of brilliance, deprived as we are of sport, cinema, theatre and most firms of culture and diversion. Netflix doesn’t come close. The Beeb is even going to educate the kids. It has been temporarily relieved of its absurd obligation to act as an arm of the DWP, means-testing licences for the over-75s. I suspect that idea may be quietly dropped forever when this lousy war is over. 

So we know now how much we rely on our under-appreciated, neglected public services, the welfare state and key workers. Things will change. Just as the Great War gave us votes for women and council housing, and the Second World War, the Beveridge report and the original welfare state, so now will this “war” yield some unexpected revolutions in attitudes and our way of life. 

The British people aren’t turning socialist as such, but there will be some hard thinking. We see all too clearly there is such a thing as society and no substitute for bold state action. As people asked in 1945, if we can do all these things in War time, and borrow such huge sums, why not in peacetime? It’s all a bit too late for Jeremy Corbyn though. 

Owl understands the desperate state of the hospitality industry facing confused messages coming from the government.  On the one hand we are , for very good reasons, being told to avoid cafes, restaurants and pubs but on the other they haven’t been ordered to close.

Devon Coastal Cottages has come up with this innovative idea (see below).

However, self-isolate means just that. It doesn’t mean jump into a car and bomb down to Devon. Nor is it helpful in terms of epidemic control to encourage a mass exodus from the country’s hotspot – London – to  dispersal within the country.

Devon, as previous articles have shown, is potentially very vulnerable and needs cocooning.

Our two MP’s (and County leaders) have been silent on this legitimate, but sensitive, issue.

How Are We Doing Our Bit To Help Others During COVID19? www.stoneleigh-holiday-park.com

Are you worried about your loved ones and looking for a remote place to self-isolate and protect your friends and family. 

We are now offering self-isolation zero contact packages safe and remote cottages.

According to the latest news and figures from our government, to date 19th March 953 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in London. London and possibly other cities and other built-up areas could soon go into lockdown, to toughen measures on the coronavirus. As the disease is spreading rapidly through the capital, Boris Johnson has stated he will not hesitate to roll out this tougher action when necessary to protect people’s health.

Sidmouth Cottages are now offering an ideal opportunity for individuals and family’s to self-isolate in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the countryside of Devon by the sea and to leave the city behind and protect yourself and your family…….

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(and introduces the House to a bit of dialect). Owl needs to explain that some conventions apply to maiden speeches. They should: relate in some way to the subject of the debate; be brief (about 5 minutes); be uncontroversial (not politically contentious or critical); contain remarks about your constituency; contain a tribute to your predecessor, regardless of political party. 

Any rawd, yer tiz (anyway, here it is):

Second Reading: Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bill (Lords) [Owl would soon lose patience with the this procedural stuff]  

It’s not about me, it’s about you – my maiden speech

www.simonjupp.org.uk

Mr Deputy Speaker, thank you.

Firstly, I will take this opportunity to thank my predecessor, Sir Hugo Swire for his service to East Devon and this House.

Sir Hugo served the constituency and his country with distinction.

He held several influential roles in Government including Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

I count Sir Hugo as a friend, as do many in East Devon, because his efforts helped many people I meet across the constituency every week.

This house is a broad church of opinion, skills and expertise – no matter which rosette was worn on a dark and cold night last December.

Party differences should be cast aside as every member of this house comes together to back Great Britain as we become a truly Global Britain.

And the Commonwealth Games is a superb opportunity to demonstrate the values we hold dear.

Freedom, democracy, tolerance and decency.

71 nations will come together in Birmingham to celebrate their vibrant cultures and community spirit with a fair bit of friendly competition.

As we spread our wings and embark on a new journey as an independent nation – we must always remember the rallying cry in 2016 from communities who felt left behind.

Many still do.

I am incredibly humbled to stand here as the Member of Parliament for East Devon.

My constituency boasts vast swathes of the Jurassic Coast, rolling countryside, Georgian seaside towns and beautiful villages – and you are never too far from an honesty box or farm shop.

I was born in Devon; my family have lived in the county for generations – with some hailing from Cornwall, but we don’t talk about that…

Devon has given me incredible opportunities during my career.

I was part of the launch team for Radio Plymouth – a truly independent radio station for my home city.

It’s still going strong 10 years later – and I was delighted to attend their birthday celebrations last month.

However, my career in journalism and politics took me away from my county, family and friends.

London and the South East continue to lure our home-grown talent, many of whom never return.

This must change.

But it’s only possible if Devon speaks up, with one voice.

Devon has largely backed my party for many years – and that loyalty must be rewarded. 

And I look forward to working with the government on repaying the people’s trust in us.

Throughout the election campaign, people on doorsteps across East Devon told me they wanted to Get Brexit Done.

We’re getting it done – but we must deliver more.

And whilst many people flock to Devon for our stunning coastline and countryside every year, its clear our transport network leaves a lot to be desired.

Never more so than now.

Until last week, Exeter Airport, based in my constituency, provided regular flights across the UK, Channel Islands and Europe.

The collapse of Flybe is devastating for Devon and my thoughts are with those looking for new jobs.

I went to Exeter Airport on Friday to speak to staff and offer my support.

I saw many brave faces that day.

I want them to know I will do everything I can to support the future of Exeter Airport.

Now is the time to invest in the South West.

Never again can our main railway line, connecting Devon to the rest of the country, be washed away.

So, we must – to coin a phrase – Get Dawlish Done.

That’s not all.

The A303 is a main artery route into the South West.

It’s the road which passes Stonehenge – and many of us are treated to that historic view for considerably longer than we anticipated.

It’s time we saw action – not just proposals and plans.

I would take great delight in getting access to the Governments PayPal account.

Alas, I fear the password may contain the words “Powerhouse” and “Northern”.

Nevertheless, I know the Prime Minister and his Cabinet fully understand the opportunities and challenges facing Devon.

“I’ll do it dreckly” is a phrase heard regularly in my home city of Plymouth.

It means we’ll get around to doing something at some point, maybe, in the future.

A janner’s mañ-yarna, if you will.

But we don’t have any time to waste – we must deliver for Devon, now.

Thank you.

Meanwhile, as Old Owl has found Hugo Swire continues dashing around the world on expenses  (see his Twitter feed) and promoting honey, for which he presumably receives payments as patron, as he did when an MP.

Neither pestilence nor plague can be allowed to get in the way of achieving EDDC’s aim of build, build, build. Driven by a plan to create just under 1,000 jobs a year, and Heart of the South West’s plan to double the (2018) economy in 20 years.

The end of the Ben Ingham/Tory regime can’t come soon enough.

Becca Gliddon  eastdevonnews.co.uk 

A housing developer recently announced the start of its next phase of home building for Cranbrook.

Taylor Wimpey Exeter said the fifth phase of development at East Devon’s newest town, Cranbrook, was launched last month and includes two, three and four-bedroom homes.

Melissa Langton, for the housing developer, said “We’re really excited to launch the fifth phase of our Cranbrook development this year.

“Our site team has been working incredibly hard ahead of the launch, and we can’t wait to welcome people to site when we open our doors.”

Cranbrook resident Matt Rowett – in support of the new homes – said his move to the town was driven by community spirit and the being located near Exeter.

He said: “One of the main reasons for coming out to Cranbrook was to upsize as we now have a one-year-old son.

“I can definitely see him growing up here, making lots of friends and attending the local school.”