This time last year, I reflected that 2022 had seemed like the longest year ever. I think this year easily beats it. Some things have changed, and others have not so much.
The terrible war in Ukraine is still raging and the impact on us here in Lincoln still continues with the effects of inflation, happily halved in recent months. As we are now seeing inflation start to fall and wages start to grow there is some good news as we approach Christmas. Heating costs however still remain too high and so the need for fuel cost caps to be retained is amply demonstrated – and many are thankful they still are.
We also have the war now entering its third month in Gaza following on from the terrible terrorist atrocities committed by Hamas still fresh in our minds.
Immigration into the UK remains far too high as well, both legal and illegal. MPs like me have been continually urging our Government to take firmer action which it is now doing. This includes raising the income levels for those wanting to work here as well as the Rwandan Plan to fly those coming here on boats to that country to be processed. I remain steadfast though in my opposition, along with my neighbour, Sir Edward Leigh MP, to RAF Scampton being used to house asylum seekers and illegal immigrants. It is not a suitable location and I am very concerned about the impact on local communities. This is why we need to redouble our efforts to curb immigration.
One thing that has not changed either is the fact Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party have no answers. They have opposed everything the Government has tried to do. Their view is if we just ask France more nicely to do the job they are supposed to do - stopping the boats leaving - then they will rollover and agree. This level of political naivety is breathtaking. Immigration would get far worse if Labour ever formed the next Government.
Bring Back Lincoln Christmas Market
The big event, or lack of a big event, this year was the abrupt closure of our world-renowned Lincoln Christmas Market. A secret decision made by Lincoln’s Labour Party who run the City Council. It truly shocked the City’s community. It has led to petitions, a very successful Facebook Group, national ridicule for the City and negatively impacted local jobs, shopkeepers, charities and businesses. Many spoke to me directly about it. The impact on our community spirit and togetherness too. It put us on the national and international map and the permanent loss of our Christmas Market will have an impact all year round.
I and my Conservative colleagues on the City Council will continue to campaign for it to be held in 2024, albeit perhaps in a different format, but in such a way that Lincoln’s Christmas Market will continue for at least another 40 years or more. My survey is still live so please do fill it in and I will publish the results in early 2024.
Investing in Lincoln
There continues to be huge investment coming into Lincoln, and I am pleased to have played my part. It is what any good Member of Parliament should do, and I will continue this in 2024.
The £20 million Government funded Town Fund projects continue apace with the investment in the Cornhill Quarter moving forward at rapid speed – with the Central Market nearing completion too, so that the City Council are now looking for businesses to take up the space. The wonderful Greyfriars building will also be open in 2025 too.
By the end of the decade, we will also have a ‘ring road’ around Lincoln with the completion of the North Hykeham Relief Road (Southern Bypass) which will help traffic in and out of the City and to go around it. I have campaigned for nearly 20 years now for this and the ret of the Eastern Bypass, after being initially told it was never going to be possible. People know I do not give up easily.
I took the same stance on the new traffic bridge for the Western Growth Corridor development ‘spine road’ at Swanpool. I opposed the scheme which will see over 3,000 new houses built on a floodplain and extra pressure being placed on our roads, schools and NHS. However, I always take ‘the bigger picture’ approach. Now the development plans have been passed by the City Council, it is why I then helped secure the extra £20 million for the traffic bridge linking up Tritton Road and Skellingthorpe Road. This will ease existing traffic pressures and go some way to alleviate the traffic congestion the new development will cause.
We have also seen new investment in our County Hospital, an NHS Testing Centre, new and upgraded schools and a new community centre at St Giles . This shows our Conservative Government is willing to invest in Lincoln and as your Member of Parliament, it is my job to ensure that money reaches us, and those around us in our communities.
Our community – the foundation of our wonderful City
I have always said that Lincoln is the best and much-loved City in Britain to live, work, study and visit. We are the right size. Not too big so we still have a real identity and not too small where everyone is on top of each other.
We have the perfect combination of a wonderful heritage, cutting-edge businesses, brilliant shops, a vibrant arts community, great civic bodies and a fantastic college, medical school and two leading universities. We even have an RAF base that is very busy and at the forefront of defending our Country, which is needed more now than in many decades.
Bringing everything together are our charities and civic groups. Over the past year, I have visited many of the circa 270 in the City and Constituency as I have done since I was first elected in 2010, and the community spirit is what makes Lincoln so special, vibrant and communal.
I salute all those working and volunteering for the plethora of charitable and community organisations, to those in our public sector working in the NHS, councils, police and justice, education, and emergency services. We also have wonderful innovative businesses, retailers and our civic institutions from the Lincolnshire Co-op and Lincoln Cathedral through to our two universities, UTC and college. We cannot forget Lincoln City FC of course, nor those based at RAF Waddington who are keeping the whole Country safe. Each and every one contributes to our local sense of community and I would like to thank each and every one for the support they give to our community.
Looking Forward
Next year, my focus is as it is in all years - “Putting Lincoln First!”
I will continue to speak up for the hard-working people of Lincoln. Talking up Lincoln, bringing investment in, tackling any problems or issues as they arise or I am made aware of, and making sure every Lincoln voice is heard in Westminster. This means growing the economy and jobs, ensuring we keep investing in our NHS and schools, cutting taxes, supporting our police, protecting pensioner incomes and ensuring there are great education and skills opportunities for younger people and everyone in and around the City. Social mobility has to move forward at pace, it is what I have concentrated on for the benefit of the people I represent and the Country as a whole.
I will be continuing with my focus in 2024 on working with everyone to keep the economy growing, keep up the investment into Lincoln and keep doing all I can to Put Lincoln First!
