Antoinette Sandbach MP Newsletter

It's been another busy couple of weeks in Westminster and Eddisbury...

Brexit

Many thanks to all of you who took the time to share your views on the EU Withdrawal Agreement, either by writing to me or by completing the survey on the website. There were almost 900 replies to the survey with a full range of views expressed, from stopping Brexit entirely to leaving without a deal, and every shade in between.

I have set out my position regarding the Prime Minister's deal on my website which, if you haven't already done so, you can read it there

I was delighted that the Prime Minister won a decisive majority in the vote recently. As you will know I have constantly maintained that a leadership election at this time would be pointless navel gazing by the Conservative Party and I am glad that my colleagues agree. However, the vote does demonstrate that the Prime Minister may well continue to be undermined by those in our party who are unwilling to compromise to deliver a pragmatic Brexit. There is a very real risk that if they continue to undermine the Prime Minister they will potentially undermine Brexit itself.

St. Luke's Hospice- Celebrating 30 Years

It was an honour to welcome HRH The Earl of Wessex to St. Luke's in Winsford during his recent visit to celebrate the hospice's 30th birthday.

Prince Edward spoke with patients, staff and volunteers and congratulated them on their dedication and support.

Since 1988, St. Luke's has been providing palliative care to local people. Last year the hospice supported over 1,000 people with a huge range of support from end of life care to supporting carers and from helping children cope with grief to helping patients return to work after an illness. Nearly 85% of this care is funded by charitable donations.

To find out more about St. Luke's history and work, visit: https://www.stlukes-hospice.co.uk/

n|compass northwest

Last week I attended a reception hosted by n|compass northwest, a charity which operates across the North West of England, aiming to make a positive difference and enhance life opportunities for adults and young people disadvantaged by disability, physical/mental illness, age or social exclusion through providing advocacy, carers, health and well-being and counselling services.

It was a pleasure to speak with n|compass's Chief Executive, Teresa Jennings, and learn more about the work that they are doing in the Eddisbury area, including their Carers Support programme which supports unpaid carers to maintain their own health and well-being so that they can continue in their caring role for as long as they chose.

If you would like to find out more about n|compass and its work, you can visit their website here.

Cotebrooke Village Hall Opening

On 30 November 2018, I was pleased to attend the opening of the Cotebrook Village Hall extension, which was formally opened by The High Sheriff of Cheshire, Alexis Redmond MBE.

The Hall, which was built in 1939, has recently undergone an extensive program of extension and modernisation to ensure that it can continue to serve the local community with regular activities and events.

Net Zero Emissions

On 21 November, I attended a reception to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Climate Change Act and everything that the Act has been achieved since its introduction, including the reduction of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions by 43% since 1990.

However, there is clearly still more work to do and this is why I have already a added my name to a cross-party letter calling on the Prime Minister to back a UK net zero emissions target before 2050.

The event was also attended by Claire Perry, the Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth, Farhana Yamin, international lawyer and lead IPCC author, and the actress, model and campaigner, Lily Cole.

#SANDS40 Volunteer Award

As part of the events marking its fortieth anniversary this year, Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, made me one of their 40 Volunteers for #Sands40.

It was an honour to be recognised for my work as Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Baby Loss, alongside the other amazing Sands volunteers whose commitment and dedication are vital to the work of the charity.

HS2

I have held further meetings with Paul Griffiths, HS2 Phase 2 Managing Director, and Leone DuBois, HS2 Head of Engagement, regarding the visualisations of the Crewe North Rolling Stock Depot and the viaducts. Although Mr. Griffiths provided some information, HS2 have still failed delivered the promised visualisations and I therefore continue to push this matter with the Secretary of State and the Minister.

Many constituents have also raised on-going issues with HS2's property compensation schemes as well as the information being provided by officials from HS2 and the Department of Transport at the Public Information Events. I am therefore raising these issues with HS2 and the Secretary of State.

Here are just a few more examples of what I have been up to recently:

I participated in a panel discussion with Professor Mads Andenas, University of Oslo, and Professor Carl Baudenbacher, former President of the EFTA Court, on the EEA at the Centre of European Law- King's College London.

I met with Mark Cashin, Cheshire's new Chief Fire Officer, at the joint Fire and Police Headquarters in Winsford.

I also met with Andrew Lewis, the new Chief Executive of Cheshire West and Chester Council.

It was great to visit and support local shops and businesses in the constituency during Small Business Saturday on 30 November 2018.

During Home Office Questions on 3 December 2018, I asked the Minister about what action the Government is taking to ensure that the security and law enforcement organisations have the tools they need to counter terrorism. The Minister confirmed that The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill, which is currently going through the House of Lords, includes new measures to tackle the new threats.

On 7 December 2018, I visited Huxley Primary School which is one of the first schools in the country to introduce 'the daily mile' where their pupils run a mile, helping to keep them fit and healthy.

It was great to meet Katie Greenwood from Cheshire Wildlife Trust last week to discuss the Trust's proposed new project which will allow young people and those with disabilities to take part in conservation projects across the constituency.

On 9 December 2018, I had a lovely evening with 150 other carol singers at a fabulous carol concert in aid of the Tarporley War Memorial Hospital.

During Treasury Questions yesterday, I asked the Chancellor what steps he was taking to further reduce the amount of Income Tax and National Insurance that people pay.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.