2022 November

Last month I tabled a number of written questions to the Secretary of State for Health, to gather data about the situation in Walsall South. Disappointingly, a lot of the data provided by the Minister was for the Black Country Integrated Care Board, which covers Walsall, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Dudley.

On Sunday 13th November 2022, the Lady Mayoress of Walsall MBC led a group to the Cenotaph in the town centre. We watched the parade of veterans, cadets, and other organisations who marched with the band to take their place in front of the Cenotaph. After prayers and a hymn, we waited for 11 o’clock where we observed 1 minutes’ silence in memory of those who had fallen in all the wars. Canon Rob Hall of St Paul’s and St Luke’s gave a sermon about remembering not just the names in the memorial but the people behind the names. He said we have to work for justice, peace, mercy, and compassion. There can be no peace without justice he said. 

For Parliament Week, I was invited by Delves School Council to speak to a group of students about my work in Parliament. The children prepared questions such as How long have you been an MP?, Do you enjoy your job?, What motivates you in your job?  What is your favourite part of the job? How many hours do you work? These were just some of the thoughtful and probing questions. I told them that they could change things and their discussion was just a start as they will be future voters. The Council then prepared a response which they delivered to the whole School on Monday the start of Parliament Week. Their teacher Ms Bains was instrumental in setting up Parliament Week and ensuring the children put together their questions and their presentation.   

Today, 11 November 2022, I laid a wreath at the Darlaston Memorial, Victoria Road. Members of the local community in Darlaston gathered at 11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month to hear The Last Post and observe a Minutes silence. We will always remember them.