Stockport Express Column - November 2021

Parliament has been dominated by the Owen Paterson scandal in recent days, which has once again shone a light on corruption in our political system.

It was utterly wrong what the now former MP did, and it is right that he accepted responsibility and resigned. 

Like most of my Labour Party colleagues, I will never have a second job while I’m a Member of Parliament. I was elected to serve my Stockport constituents and it is a privilege to put all my energy into doing so. 

It’s now time for Parliament to clean up its act and that should start with everyone, including the Prime Minister, respecting the independent and impartial findings of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards when inquiries take place.

On a more positive note, I was proud to have helped organise the first Diwali reception hosted by current House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP at the Palace of Westminster. 

It was an honour to be able to mark one of the largest religious festivals in the UK in Parliament alongside friends and colleagues, and join almost one billion Hindus across the world to celebrate Diwali.

Alongside my co-hosts Virendra Sharma MP and Shailesh Vara MP we hope to make the Diwali celebration an annual event in the Speaker’s State Apartments. 

I was delighted that Stockport held its first ever Climate Action Summit this week to coincide with COP26. It was heartwarming to see so many in our community discussing the most urgent issue facing humanity, and inspiring action across the borough to help tackle the climate emergency.

Covid cases are worryingly on the rise once again, and last week Stepping Hill Hospital took the decision to suspend visits for two weeks to help protect our NHS. 

The most recent figures reveal that there are now 439.5 cases per 100,000 people in Stockport, and we must all continue to play our part to help drive down the infection rate. That means taking up the booster jab when you are invited to do so. Currently this is open to those aged 50 and over, people 16 and over who have a health condition that puts them at high risk from Covid, those 16 and over who are a main carer for someone at high risk from coronavirus or who live with someone who is more likely to contract infections, and frontline health and social care workers.

As always, if you live or work in my Stockport constituency and require support, please do email me on navendu.mishra.mp@parliament.uk.