Dear friends and neighbours,
As we progress through 2023, I fully support the Prime Minister's five priorities for the year, to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce the national debt, cut NHS waiting lists and to pass new laws to stop the dangerous small boat crossings.
In addition, my own local priorities for the year continue to revolve around helping first time buyers and local residents into affordable homes by supporting the building of new homes, championing opportunity and aspiration within our local economy and workforce, including our important and substantial defence and aerospace sectors, improving transport connectivity and making the case for further investment in our local healthcare provision - in order that NHS treatment is available as and when it is needed.
Having been re-appointed under the new Prime Minister as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party, my particular focus is our national relationship with our Armed Forces’ veterans as well as ensuring the Conservative Party holds its rightful title as the Party of Law and Order. I am impressed with the objective set out by our Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Johnny Mercer, to 'make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran'. I am also very impressed with the work that the Minister for Crime and Policing, Chris Philp, is doing to ensure that we remain on course to have a record number of Police Officers.
As always, if there is ever anything I can help you with, or you would like to book a surgery appointment, please contact my office. My office is open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm and can be contacted by email via [email protected] or by calling 01454 617783.
I hope you find this newsletter useful and informative. As ever, please follow my work and activity via social media if you can (Facebook and Twitter) and/or my website.
Best wishes,
Jack Lopresti MP
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Re-Appointed Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party
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In November 2022, I was re-appointed Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party by the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.
My responsibility as Deputy Chairman is to ensure the Conservative Party holds its rightful title as the Party of Law and Order and ensuring our Party continues to be the strongest advocate for the brave men and women who serve or have served our country.
In these past few months I have spent a lot of time in these roles meeting members of the armed forces, veterans, police officers and legal professionals, as well as working alongside ministers to provide better support for those who work in these important professions.
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A graphic announcing Jack's appointment as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party in November 2022.
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It was an honour and a privilege to support the Poppy Appeal and to lay wreaths at local remembrance services.
I participated in 3 events: the first on Armistice Day at Bristol Parkway Station, then DE&S at Abbeywood and the Willow Brook Centre on Sunday in Bradley Stoke.
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It was also a pleasure to meet up again with fellow veterans at the Combined Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club in Bradley Stoke North. An excellent initiative which helps with general morale and support for our veterans.
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At the end of last year, I also had my COVID booster jab at my local surgery in Bradley Stoke. Thank you to all the team at Bradley Stoke Surgery for all that they do for our community.
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Speaking in the House of Commons Chamber
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It has been a great honour to make contributions in the House of Commons. You can view some of my recent contributions by clicking on the links below.
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Re-election as Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Sovereign Defence Manufacturing Capability
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I continue to support a number of All Party Parliamentary Groups and I was delighted to be re-elected as the Chairman of the APPG for Sovereign Defence Manufacturing Capability. The first enquiry will be on the impact of the war in Ukraine on the UK's defence manufacturing resilience.
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Regular surgeries across our area
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Over the last couple of months, I have held many constituency surgeries both at my office and across our area. Recent surgeries have included Lincombe Barn, the Greenfield Centre in Winterbourne and 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, visit: http://jacklopresti.com/surgeries or email me at: [email protected]
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Transport Infrastructure and Homes
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Recently, I met with Stagecoach at Gypsy Patch Lane to discuss their ambitions for future Bristol operations and the planned full refurbishment of their depot in early 2023.
I visited Brabazon to see progress on the building of the 17,000 capacity Brabazon Arena and this entire new community. I was extremely pleased to hear more about the proposed building of an additional 3,000 more homes on the development.
I also had an excellent update on the progress of the proposed new Brabazon Railway Station and I was pleased to hear that constructive dialogue has been taking place between WECA, Network Rail and YTL which could see the project completed in Autumn 2025.
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Local Defence and Aerospace Jobs
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Dropped into Aeralis to catch up on progress with their modular jet which could replace the Hawk T2 as the trainer aircraft for the RAF. Their planned jet is a fantastic, radical, world leading modular design.
Visited the GKN Global Technology Centre in Filton which supports technological innovation and sustainable development. We discussed STEM engagement with local schools and colleges and their apprenticeships programme which will help inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.
Delighted also to have hosted Airbus Helicopters in Westminster. I subsequently met with the Airbus Chief Executive, Guillaume Faury, to discuss the company’s ongoing and increasing investment into Filton.
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Hosting events and meetings in Westminster
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In addition to hosting Airbus in Westminster, I was also pleased to have hosted Enterprise UK, the car rental company, in Parliament for some very interesting panel discussions on social value initiatives in business and innovation in transport.
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Meeting apprentices and organisations in Parliament
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It was inspiring to meet some apprentices from EDF Energy, Assystems UK and Vulcaining (all from our area) during Nuclear Week in Parliament. Great to hear of the skills they are developing and the vital contributions they are making to our energy security. I’m looking forward to visiting them back in the constituency.
Pleased also to have met some more fantastic Airbus apprentices, especially Bradley Morgan, who made a particularly inspirational speech.
An excellent meeting in Westminster with Laura Holloway from Enterprise car rental to discuss the forthcoming opportunities to employ & train veterans and apprentices. We also discussed the ongoing expansion of electric vehicles within their rental fleet.
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Visiting Bowsland Green Primary School and welcoming UWE to Parliament
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I very much enjoyed visiting Bowsland Green Primary School to speak to the pupils about my role as a Member of Parliament, why I do what I do, how I represent them, the work I do in the constituency and in Westminster - and how they can become involved in politics. This was then followed by an interesting Q&A.
I was also delighted to be able to welcome UWE Bristol students and Senior Lecturer of Economics: Dr. Sahand Panah, to the House of Commons at the tail end of 2022. I very much enjoyed meeting them all and it was a great discussion about national and local politics.
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Campaigning and meeting residents with local Councillors and supporters
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I always enjoy meeting and talking with residents across our area to discuss local issues and concerns.
The new year started with a session in Emersons Green to deliver campaign material for the forthcoming local elections.
We have also been out and about across Charlton Hayes and Bradley Stoke where we have encountered fantastic support for the local Bradley Stoke team and our two excellent Councillors, Cllr Terri Cullen and Cllr Franklin Owusu-Antwi.
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If I can do anything to help you...
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As always, should you need my help with anything, my office is open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm. Please telephone me on 01454 617783 or email me at: [email protected] if I can be of assistance.
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Please forward this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested. New subscribers can sign up on my website.
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