For all our political differences MPs are united by a common desire to serve our constituents, in a world that often seems filled with injustice. Across the political divide there is a shared respect and admiration for all MPs who work cross party to change things for the better.
Last week MPs in Parliament debated the Queen’s Speech, which sets out the Government’s legislative agenda for the year ahead. Contained within in the Speech were the very measures that drove me to fight so hard to become an MP, measures that will make a difference to lives.
Call it social justice, call it social mobility, call it life chances, this year’s Queen’s speech had at its heart the goal of hope and possibility; specifically hope and possibility for those who have never had it easy. This Queen’s speech was about tackling barriers and obstacles that stand in the way of too many and which rob people of their hopes and ambitions.
I am proud this Government has placed a commitment to strong families at the heart of its agenda. It is a strong family that will give every child the very best start in life. It is the children in struggling families, the children in Care, the children in the youth justice system; it is these children who are denied the hope and possibility available to those who have strong supportive families.
The Children and Social Work bill, the Education for All bill and the Prison Reform bill are three opportunities for MPs to confront the underlying causes of disadvantage.
To fail to confront the underlying causes of disadvantage, whether this is at home, in the classroom or in the justice system, fails those for whom we can do the most to help; I want my constituents’ children to have equal access to the best universities and the leading professions, no matter what their background.
Some commentators would rather we did not talk about the causes of entrenched disadvantage. Some even claim disadvantage does not exist; others find it easier to blame ‘austerity’ than to find ways to remove barriers. Too many people are written off when their lives could so easily take another direction if only given the chance.
So together with MPs of all parties, I share this Government’s ambition to create hope and a sense of possibility for those who face the greatest obstacles.
[Video shows speech referenced in the column]