As you are probably aware, I did a column last week after previously saying I was not going to. This change was due to Parliament being recalled for the debate on Afghanistan and although I was able to provide initial comments last week the debate was still ongoing when the print deadline arrived. So, whilst I gave initial comments about the atmosphere in the chamber, I couldn’t tell you about the speeches I had not heard. The most impressive of these was from Tom Tugendhat. Tom has been an MP since 2015, but before that he was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army Intelligence Corps and served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He talked with minimal notes and unbelievable emotion, he had everyone’s full and complete attention and indeed he received a round of applause from some present, even though that is completely against protocols. I had the privilege of sitting close and was spellbound by what I was seeing. The difference between this and what we have had over the Covid period is stark, the anaemic, typically 3–5-minute speeches via TV screens can in no way compare with the gravitas of a communication delivered like this. I had anticipated that the biggest post Covid change would be what I had seen earlier in the debate when Members, and in particular the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, were constantly asked to ‘give way’ and take challenges to what they were saying. I had not understood the way a speech like Tom’s can have its words amplified in intensity through the manner they are spoken and the integrity of the speaker. His experience pre-Parliament is critical to this gravitas, and whilst I am sure it could be similar in other debates, for example, an ex-teacher contributing to education, the fact that we were debating the life and death issues of a war zone in which he had been deployed made it exceptional. I am sure these are the speeches which resonate most with ministers in their consideration of what should be done.
After the debate I returned north and over the following days I received many briefings from the three primary departments, MOD, Home Office, and Foreign Office. This meant that I was provided with details necessary for us to react to emails and calls from constituents as regards the events in Afghanistan. It was very reassuring to see the coordination happening between these different ministries. We were also able to get an understanding of the context in which events had unfolded so far and how they could be anticipated to play out in future, these briefings have continued for all MPs and, on occasion, even included people on the ground in Afghanistan.
Back in the constituency life is heading back towards normality and it was an absolute pleasure and privilege to formally open ‘Five Acres’ at ROF59. Five Acres was originally conceived as being at a 5-acre field near Brafferton but due to some planning frustrations they were given some temporary hospitality by ROF59. This has evolved into a more permanent arrangement.
I was accompanied by County Councillor David Sutton-Lloyd when I was able to take the Deputy Leader of Durham County Council, Richard Bell, on a trip around Newton Aycliffe. This was to show Councillor Bell some of the initiatives we want the Council to pursue, and we also caught up with the neighbourhood police inspector, Sarah Honeyman, who was able to share some of the policing priorities. We took Cllr Bell to the Town Centre to explain our Levelling Up bid and later to the Locomotion pub to explain its historic importance to the 2025 Darlington to Stockton railway celebrations. We also gave him a whistle stop tour of the industrial estate and the schools and colleges on the town.
I had a couple of meetings on NETPark regarding some exciting developments as well and on Saturday I went to Middleton St George Community Centre who had a ‘Bouncing Back’ event for the local community organisations before calling back at ROF59 to see the Five Acre event. I was also encouraged by John Finley to consider the Zip Wire and Drop Zone they have, maybe I will take a closer look another day!
Sunday saw me back down to London to meet with my office manager on Monday to discuss our office move. As part of the renovations of the parliamentary estate Norman Shaw North, which is where my office is situated, is being emptied and we are being moved to Richmond House. I believe that I must now have the office that is furthest from the voting lobbies and, when we are back, I will certainly need to be quick off the mark to get to the lobbies in time when divisions are called.
After returning to the patch, I met with leaders of local Scout groups, they are delighted to be back and operating but, like all voluntary groups, are unsure how things will play out going forward. They have been unable to fundraise or get as much publicity as normal so if anyone wants to volunteer or has children they want to introduce to scouting, they start as young as 5, then please get in touch.
As with everyone else I am pleased we continue to lift restrictions, because I get to see many people, I am regularly testing myself and I would encourage you all to do likewise. This, along with vaccinations, is key to avoiding another wave. Please do your bit, stay safe and enjoy what’s left of our summer.
Paul Howell
Member of Parliament for Sedgefield