January News from Jack Lopresti MP

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Dear john,

2024 has got off to a busy start, I've undertaken a packed schedule of visits and meetings, taking the chance when I don't have to be in London to get around and about. Recently I visited the Bristol MPCT Military Academy, Clifton Rugby Club, The Wave in Easter Compton, Park Row Synagogue in Central Bristol, and the Rolls Royce factory in Patchway, in addition to holding meetings with the Police & Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford, local councillors, and constituents. There's more on my local visits below.

Of course, the last few months for me in Parliament has been dominated by the ongoing events in Ukraine, and my efforts to support Ukraine and our allies in this struggle against Putin’s horrific invasion. I have travelled to Ukraine four times over the last year which included a visit to the frontline in which I met with soldiers; many of which had been trained here in the UK, in addition to seeing British kit and equipment being used against Russian forces. I also attended defence manufacturing conferences in Kyiv, promoting the work done in our local area to support the Ukrainians.

In November, led a delegation to Washington DC to meet with members if Congress to build support for continued American military support.

I hope you find this newsletter useful and informative. As ever, please keep an eye on my social media (Facebook ([link removed]) and Twitter ([link removed]) ) for the very latest updates, as well as my website ([link removed]) . If you would like to get involved with the local Conservatives election campaign, please contact our campaign office - [email protected]

If there is ever anything I or my team can help you with, please don't hesitate to get in touch. The office remains open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm. You can email me on [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) , or call 01454 617783 if you would like a surgery appointment or a meeting with me.

Best wishes,
Jack Lopresti MP


** Ukraine
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I spoke in a debate in the House of Commons on the situation in Ukraine. I made four visits to Ukraine in 2023. These visits have included meeting soldiers on the frontline, many of whom have been trained in the United Kingdom at the Royal School of Artillery in Larkhill.
Watch my speech and hear my thoughts here ([link removed])
I attended the Yalta European Strategy Conference in Kyiv, in which we discussed the power, importance and profundity of Ukraine's ideals; how helping Ukraine is best for the global economy; and how we may bring this illegal, bloody war to an end. I also attended the International Defence Industries Forum in which I had conversations with Babcock regarding the opening of their new facility in Kyiv - opening up more collaboration in the defence manufacturing sector between the UK and Ukraine. As the Ukrainians say, we must Build the Arsenal of the Free World Together.

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At Prime Minister's Questions on 22nd November 2023, I asked the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to reaffirm the UK’s unwavering support for the people of Ukraine in their continuing struggle to defeat Putin’s forces and liberate their country.
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It was a pleasure and a privilege to host Ukrainian teenagers (their parents have served and are serving in the Ukrainian military) at the Houses of Parliament. They were able to see PMQs and we then had a general discussion and debate about our two countries working together on every level more closely in the future. Thank you to Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan, Baroness Blower and Chris Law MP for their support and contribution.
A great visit to the MPCT Military Academy in Bristol where I met some aspiring learners hoping to become armed forces recruits and had a good discussion with them. I also heard from Huw at the MPCT about the fantastic work they do preparing young people to join the armed forces.

As Chairman of Conservative Friends of Ukraine, I led a delegation of Conservative parliamentarians to Washington DC. We met with fellow conservatives in Congress to discuss continuing vital military support for the Ukrainian people in their fight to eject Russian forces from their country. Thanks to Liz Truss, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Mark Francois and Lord Howard for joining our delegation.
Poppy Appeal
It was great to attend The Poppy Launch at Bristol Parkway Station. It was well supported by serving members of the armed forces, veterans, local volunteers from the Stoke Gifford Royal British Legion, and scouts groups. The following day, I joined my friends Ian and David at Bristol Parkway Station again in support of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. I was deeply humbled to be able to speak at the Royal British Legion Gala Dinner and help Staple Hill launch the 2023 Poppy Appeal, buy the first poppy, and to be re-elected as Vice-President of Stoke Gifford Branch of the Royal British Legion for another year.

We Will Remember Them.

Remembrance Sunday

I was also honoured to participate again in the Bradley Stoke Willow Brook Centre Service of Remembrance. I was also pleased to be able to take part in the annual parade and Remembrance Service in Patchway.
Promoting local Aerospace and Defence Jobs
* Promoting apprenticeships in aerospace and defence manufacturing to expand opportunities for young people.
* Protecting jobs working with national government support for these vital industries.
* Continue to press the government to increase defence spending.

I met with some of the Rolls Royce team in Patchway. We discussed the timings of any future changes and consultation. I was grateful to receive a briefing on the Tempest jet fighter. I'm confident the Patchway plant will continue to grow and go from strength to strength.

Supporting Local Causes & Business


** Jack celebrates Clifton Rugby Club's Victory and praises Toby's fundraising efforts for St. Peter's Hospice
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I met with Hazel from The Wave in Easter Compton. They had a great year in 2023, are passionate about giving back to the community, and are more than self-sufficient with green energy.
I Attended the Severn Counties Foreign & British Bird Society Open Show at Winterbourne Methodist Church. A real pleasure to meet their President of 30+ years Roger Tippett, Chairman Fred Smith and the dedicated Alan Goldsmith. A fantastic event! (photo above)

Delighted to cut the ribbon and officially open Bristol Vet Specialists' new £13.5 million animal hospital at Western Approach in Severn Beach with the really committed team. The amazing state-of-the-art facilities, including some of the most advanced cancer treatment for cats and dogs in Europe, a leading feline unit, and specialist animal MRI and CT scanners, are very impressive (photo below, right)

It was great to support the official opening of Madras Junction, a new restaurant in Patchway. The friendly service and excellent authentic South Indian cuisine make it a fantastic addition to our local area (photo below, left).

I met with staff and consultants at the Willow Surgery at the NHS Downend Health Group. We discussed issues local residents had had and they promised to follow up and respond to me on them. Thank you all for the fantastic work you do and taking the time out of your very busy day to see me.

I met with Sean and his team from Highways England at the bridge connecting Cuckoo Lane in Winterbourne Down with Emersons Green and Bromley Heath. They have outlined that they are working to have a planned 2-3 year timescale – half the time to that of many comparable projects which would usually take up to 5 years. They have assured me that they are in communication with local authorities, businesses, residents and other stakeholders to try to reduce disruption as much as possible.
I also met with representatives of DHL to open their new site at western Approach. They told me about their fantastic apprenticeship schemes and showed me around their facility. And thank you to the local branch of the Salvation Army who were at the grand opening event who kindly played my favourite Christmas Carol, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.
Surgery
I hold my regular surgeries across Filton & Bradley Stoke. I have recently held my surgery at the Lincombe Barn in Donwnend and then at St. Michael's Centre in Stoke Gifford. To make an appointment for a future surgery, or if I can help you with an issue, please call 01454 617 783 or email me at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])


** Back in Parliament
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I met then-Roads and Local Transport Minister Richard Holden MP to discuss how we can bring about a solution to the reduction of local bus services which many children rely on to get to school in our local area. Bus services such as the 458 and 936 have been cut completely by Mayor of the West of England Dan Norris and South Gloucestershire Council and have not only led to local residents facing great difficulties getting from A to B, but also to parents struggling to get their children to school safely and on time. I have since written to the new Minister for Roads and Local Transport Guy Opperman MP urging him to reinstate bus services which have been cut.
The Stroke Association do some great work in helping those who have suffered from strokes emotionally, practically, or financially. They fund research into ongoing rehabilitation that could help stroke survivors live fuller, happier lives. I was honoured to speak to their dedicated team at an event they hosted in Parliament.
A pleasure to welcome the Ghana Community Bristol to the Houses of Parliament, where they toured both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Over tea on the terrace, we had a general and wide-ranging discussion on local and national issues.
Campaigning
I have been out with our local conservatives like my colleagues Cllr. Rachael Hunt and Police & Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford on Saturday mornings.
If you would like to get involved with the Conservative Team in Filton & Bradley Stoke, please get in touch with Bristol & South Gloucestershire Conservatives at [email protected]
Please forward this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested. New subscribers can sign up on my website ([link removed]) .

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