JILL MORTIMER: Opening doors so that local people’s voices can be heard

As your MP, a lot of my role takes place “behind the scenes” - opening dialogues with ministers and acting as a sounding board for my constituents’ concerns and views, which I then represent.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Jul 2021, 00:00 BST

This week I met with the new Secretary of State for Health Sajid Javid.

I know the reopening of services for our hospital here in Hartlepool is an emotive matter, and one which is important to many across the Town. He arranged for me to meet with Edward Argar Minister of State for Health in order for me to express the concerns I have in relation to local services.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

I also met with the Lord Chancellor and shared with him some of my ideas for reducing the post Covid back log of cases in the Criminal Justice System, as well as discussing how to tighten up sentencing under the guidelines for pet thefts. It is these conversations that open the door for the voice of Hartlepool to be heard in Westminster, and I look forward to representing the views of more of my constituents going forward.

Speaking of local people, I was lucky enough to meet virtually with ‘Teach First’ this week, a programme which promotes high quality teacher training aimed at helping our youngest generations receive the best possible education. I was informed that 66 people from Hartlepool have completed this training – it is my ambition that these graduates feel inspired to stay and teach children in the local area, passing on a shared desire to learn and a love for education.

During a week filled with meetings and zoom calls I was thrilled to get out and meet with the Prime Minister, Kwasi Kwarteng and my MP colleagues in the North East, at the new Gigabit factory at Nissan. This development which provides 6,200 jobs is good news for Hartlepool and the wider region – the skilled work available not only at the factory but along the supply chain will help us Build Back Better, while advocating the North East as a world leading area for green industry!

Over the next few weeks I will be working hard to get my office up and running, with interviews for both a parliamentary and a constituency role already in the diary. As ever, if you want to talk to me please get in touch- [email protected]

Related topics:Jill MortimerHartlepool