An MP’s time is a mix of the often conflicting needs of a busy constituency and the demands of Parliament. This past fortnight saw a Commons debate that rose above the usual ceremonials and whipped lines of questioning on a topic that directly affects many people in South Thanet.
As a magistrate, I have too often seen cases where young lives are wasted because of new psychoactive substances—that is, so-called “club drugs” or “legal highs”. It would probably be better to call them “lethal hypes”, given how many young lives they have killed or destroyed in other ways. So I was pleased to speak in support of the Government’s attempts to take serious action on this issue through the passage of the Psychoactive Substances Bill.
By making the supply of these drugs a criminal act, high street shops selling them will now be driven permanently out of business. However, I remain concerned that the internet will continue to grow as a source of these untested, lethal substances and prescription-only drugs such as steroids.
I was also pleased to secure a commitment from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury for either him or the Minister of State for Trade and Investment to visit South Thanet and meet with local export businesses. They will help explain how best exporters in the constituency can benefit from a new approach to exports that has been launched, using new, lower-cost, digital technologies.
In the constituency, I was pleased to meet with the Chief Executive of CEO Age UK Thanet and will soon be meeting with Ageless Thanet. The constituency has a significantly higher proportion of older people than elsewhere in the region and the country, so anything that helps this target group should help us all. I was able to suggest they appoint an energy advisor to work with the charity’s clients to identify savings they could make on their utility bills.
At the other end of the age spectrum, it was a privilege to official open the new building at Cliftonville Primary school. The new teaching block includes an impressive hall and kitchen, capable of serving over 400 lunches a day, a second staffroom and facilities for eight classes. It was clear that the staff are dedicated to and have high expectations for the children.
Since my last column, I have met with Vigilant Global, who wish to install a communications dish adjacent to Richborough Energy Park at a height of a 1,000 feet. The claim is for a reliable communication link with Europe, bringing benefits such as improved broadband internet for rural Kent. However, it would also have an obvious impact on local views and my primary concern is the effect on aviation potential at Manston.
To conclude on a personal note, readers might be amused to know that the toothache I mentioned last time led to an urgent visit to the dentist and the offending tooth has since been removed. If only all problems were so easily solved.