It’s been deeply touching to receive so many messages from constituents, thanking me for my service to our town, as I announced I would step down as the MP at the next election.
Not only from people I had helped or knew me, but people who would correspond with me in capital letters, and could never vote for me, all saying thank you, you have been a good MP; I will keep and treasure every one.
It’s been my mission as Telford’s MP to right wrongs and fight for justice. This has meant taking on those in power: the Hospital Trust, the Post Office, the Police, the Parole Board and the Council. These organisations are paid for by the taxpayer to serve the taxpayer. They all have taxpayer funded lawyers and PR machines, to keep the likes of me, or anyone suffering a wrong doing, from digging too deep and seeking redress. All organisations get it wrong, but taxpayer organisations will never admit it. For the most part, often against the wishes of Government, we got there in the end.
This week the Post Office CEO has come to Parliament to apologise to Tracy Felstead, a victim of the Post Office scandal. We got our inquiry into maternity failings at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital and a proper apology. After the Operation Chalice CSE releases, we got our Victims Bill and the ending of automatic early release for serious sexual offenders. As we approach the first anniversary of the publication of the CSE inquiry, which no one wanted us to have, I want the Council to apologise to the victims for their failings which are set out in the report. So far, we have “we are sorry for your pain” but there is no acknowledgement of any responsibility.
I want to thank everyone who helped to make change happen. The local BBC has been a notable omission, silent on these causes until after they were in the public domain. They have a mandate to hold power to account, but as part of the powerful establishment, they would not, will not rock the boat.
