Diary of an MP: Come and visit Parliament with me this summer

My summer Discovery Tours programme is now open for booking, and I want to make sure as many community groups as possible across Northampton know about it. One of the genuine privileges of being an MP is being able to share the history of the Palace of Westminster with people from the constituency. Throughout the summer holidays, groups of up to 12 can book a tour with me and my team on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I'd really encourage you to book now while slots are still available. You can find the link on my Facebook page. 

The past fortnight has also been a busy one closer to home. A real highlight was taking part in Oak Apple Day at All Saints' Church, one of Northampton's oldest and most distinctive civic traditions, observed for over 350 years. The ceremony commemorates the generosity of King Charles II, who donated timber to help rebuild the church and halved the town's taxes for seven years following the Great Fire of Northampton in 1675. The civic procession, the thanksgiving service, the wreathing of the statue of Charles II on the portico; it's a genuinely moving occasion and a reminder that Northampton has a rich history that deserves to be celebrated. If you've never been, I'd encourage you to go along next year. 

Half term also gave me a valuable opportunity to catch up with a number of key local stakeholders, including Northampton College, where discussions around a proposed merger with Moulton College are ongoing and could have significant implications for further education provision in the area, as well as Colonial Construction, Northampton Chamber of Commerce, the Royal & Derngate, and Silverstone. Staying connected with the organisations that drive our local economy and culture means I can better represent their interests in Westminster. 

I also visited Riverside Retail Park to meet Perry, the local McDonald's franchisee, whose operation across multiple sites in the area supports a significant number of local jobs. And I popped in to see the team at Trilogy gym at Brackmills, which is getting ready to open its doors. It's shaping up to be a great facility, and I wish them every success when they launch. 

As always, if you have a concern or need support, please don't hesitate to get in touch with my office at [email protected].