Our new MP, David Simmonds CBE MP has written is first column as our new Member of Parliament. 

It’s been a busy few weeks in my new role as the MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner. In the constituency I’ve kept a packed diary, and I have enjoyed meeting with and hearing from many local residents. I’ve already held drop-in surgeries and coffee mornings in Pinner, Hatch End, and Harefield, and I will continue to host future weekly drop-ins on either Mondays or Fridays in each ward. It’s been brilliant helping tackle individual concerns and discussing both local and national issues. For details of future events near you, please do follow my Facebook page here, or check out my new website here.

On major local issues such as the Pinn Medical Centre, Mount Vernon, and HS2, I have been a vocal advocate on behalf of our constituency. Following my contributions in Parliament at Health Questions, I discussed the Pinn with Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, and his colleagues. I am delighted those efforts have come to fruition. Friday’s announcement that the Pinn’s walk-in centre will continue to serve all patients was a victory for the community. It is also a reflection of the value placed on the service provided by the staff, and of the efforts of all the volunteers who have supported the Pinn.

I have also visited the Mount Vernon site and raised the importance of the care provided there. I am due to meet with the Minister of State for Care to discuss this valued local site in the coming weeks. I will continue to work with healthcare providers and the Government to ensure that our community receives the best possible care and resources.

HS2 has featured heavily in my in-tray and I have correspondingly spent a great deal of time working with the HS2 Review Group to make our community’s case concerning the line of route, the enabling works, and the future of the project as a whole. I have visited Dews Farm and Hillingdon Outdoors Activities Centre, and I have met with the Prime Minister in Parliament at the pivotal time in the run-up to today’s announcement.

I am of course disappointed by the decision today, but I can assure local residents that every MP along the line of the route is committed to working together to ensure that our voices are heard in the years ahead. I hope that a new HS2 Ombudsman and a new HS2 Minister will work with us to improve the approach and behaviour of HS2 to local residents and our natural environment.

I look forward to working with you and continuing to deliver for our community.

First published: MyLocalNews - February issue