South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy discusses Labour Party conference and plans to ‘renew Britain’

In his latest column, South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy discusses the Labour Party conference…

Over the past week, I attended the national Labour Party conference in Liverpool, where the theme was ‘Renewing Britain’.

After a year in Government, I hope the conference provided the party with an opportunity to review and reflect on the past 12 months as we look towards the year ahead and how we will continue to deliver the change that people voted for in the general election.

As a constituency-focused MP, the conference provided me with a great opportunity to meet with many different national organisations to discuss matters relating to South West Norfolk, and press for the improvements on behalf of constituents.

I met with the Stroke Association, Scope, Dementia UK and Pancreative Cancer UK to discuss the importance of early medical diagnosis, health services in West Norfolk and the health inequalities in our county, which continue to be of great concern.

As a passionate advocate for animal rights, I was pleased to speak at the Animals Matter coalition event, formed by the RSPCA, Humane World for Animals, Compassion in World Farming and Four Paws, some of which I have strong ties with given our joint work in successfully opposing the Methwold megafarm.

Farming is at the heart of much of the work I do, and I attended an event hosted by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) to continue important dialogue and met with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation to talk about their priorities.

I also met with the Country Land and Business Association, and Campaign to Protect Rural England to talk about protections for the countryside and the rural economy – matters of huge importance here in West Norfolk.

Alongside nearly 30 other Labour MPs, I have helped to form the Labour Rural Research Group, which is focused on undertaking research and policy development to ensure growth opportunities in rural communities like ours.

There was a launch of this group at the conference and Tom Bradshaw, president of the NFU, spoke at it – praising the work of Labour MPs such as myself who have been engaging with farmers over the last year and lobbying the Government on their behalf.

The conference was also a fantastic opportunity for the Government to set-out its wider ambitions and vision for the country, and the Prime Minister was very clear – this Labour Government is focused on renewal, investment and building a Britain for all.

A Britain with free breakfast clubs in every primary school, where young people can learn technical skills through a world-class further education system, and where the most disadvantaged students will receive grants to support them to study at higher levels to ensure opportunity for all.

A Britain where people can see NHS specialists without needing to leave their homes, and where families will be able to build a life and community in new towns with first- class local GP surgeries, schools, green spaces and transport links.

There is much, much more to do as we look ahead to a busy autumn, but front and centre of that is ensuring that people can see a better future for themselves and their families.