August is a month to which many of us look forward, especially MPs. While Westminster has its own charm amidst the cut and thrust of politics, the summer parliamentary recess provides a great opportunity to spend more time in South Shropshire helping people around the constituency, which given the beauty of our area, is always a welcome task.
As readers will know by now, I have decided not to seek re-election as Member of Parliament for Ludlow - or rather South Shropshire, as the constituency will soon be renamed. As I write, my successor as Conservative candidate has not yet been chosen by local party members, though will be in place by the time this is published. Whoever it is, I look forward to engaging with them as much as possible, and offering as much clarity as I can on local issues I have experienced over the past 18+ years as your MP.
Needless to say, I will continue to represent South Shropshire to the best of my ability until the next General Election. In previous summer recesses, that has always meant travelling to all corners of the constituency to meet constituents, organisations and other groups in South Shropshire – taking up local issues and offering to help wherever I can. As well as visiting the larger towns, as I do year-round, I can spend more time in the remote areas of South Shropshire, tackling the issues affecting smaller villages or hamlets.
This summer I also have the new opportunity to get to know those communities within the additional 100 square miles of the Severn Valley and Burnell wards, which are joining our parliamentary constituency.
Like many others, I also intend to take some time this August on holiday, travelling to Scotland with my family. I have been a fan of staycationing long before covid enforced it upon many of us, getting to know some wonderful remote parts of the UK. So I would commend it to those readers planning some time away this summer.
When Parliament returns in September, I shall be pressing forward the Environmental Audit Committee in our efforts to scrutinise environmental policies across government. I am determined to use the remaining year or so I have at the heart of our political life to do as much as I can to leave the environment in a better state for future generations. Our Committee will be pursuing our existing inquiries into air quality targets, electrification of the UK economy, and our latest inquiry into the role of natural capital - as well as looking for new lines of inquiry for the final session of this Parliament.
Depending on the date of the next General Election, this may be my last summer recess as your MP, so I look forward to making the most of it. If you see me out and about in your area and you would like to raise an issue, please do come over and say hello. Alternatively, please do get in touch by emailing philip.dunne.mp@parliament.uk or writing to me at LCCA, 54 Broad Street, Ludlow, SY8 1GP.