Well I think we can all be really proud of just how well our boys have done! Like many of you I was right on the edge of my seat, and although heartbroken that we wouldn’t be going through to the final, I was SO proud of how far this team had taken us as a country! Here’s to the Euros in two years’ time!
Many of you will know how passionate I am about getting more women into politics and into Parliament. As a former Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Women in Parliament, I was delighted to be asked to speak at a cross-party event hosted by the Parliament Project – a fantastic national organisation which aims to inspire women to stand in elections. It was particularly great to see so many young women from a whole range of backgrounds and political interests getting involved and speaking about how they would like to stand for election to local council, regional government, Police and Crime Commissioner and parliamentary positions. During my time in Parliament we have seen the number of women standing for election steadily increase, leading to better debates and better outcomes! I am absolutely committed to continuing that trend and hopefully these women will one day be a part of the solution.
On Tuesday last week one hundred aircraft flew over Parliament on their way to Buckingham Palace where the hundreds of thousands of onlookers together with members of the Royal Family were positioned to cheer on our fabulous RAF as it marks one hundred years since its creation!!! I quickly popped out of the chamber to the House of Commons Terrace to watch the flypast, and while it was a tad cloudy, this didn’t dampen the spirits of onlookers nor the RAF crew taking part! A brilliant moment of true Britishness. I am so proud of the current and former service men and women within my constituency, and would like to give my sincere thanks to all of those who took part and serve our country with such distinction.
Locally we are so fortunate to have some outstanding volunteers, and with this in mind I was really pleased to meet with constituents in Westminster last week who were representing the fantastic hospice for children and young adults Naomi House & Jacksplace! This fantastic team do the most incredible job of raising funds and supporting the work of this hospice which provides expert care to more than 325 life-limited and life-threatened children, young people and their extended families right across the south coast, including across our area. ITN newscaster and Hampshire resident Alastair Stewart was again on hand to lend his support to this great charity, and it was a privilege to meet with some members of the team and an honour to take them on a quick tour of Parliament too!
Later in the week I was back in the constituency and enjoying some of the tastes of Eastleigh. Chilli has long been a key ingredient within our meals, and it was therefore great to see so many local producers supporting Eastleigh’s Chilli Festival! I admit that I never knew just how many different varieties of Chilli can be grown, and it was really interesting speaking to some of the local stall holders about why they are SO passionate about this particular fruit – not vegetable! - which more often than not helps to spice up our menu options! This was a great build up to the MELA this weekend which I will be attending alongside Cabinet Minister and neighbouring MP, Caroline Nokes, and I would like to extend my thanks to the BID team who ensure that Eastleigh Town has so much going on!
Last Sunday I was delighted to join my female colleagues and Councillors for a ‘Pankhurst Party’ to mark this important step forward in equality in the UK. Hampshire is punching above its weight when it comes to female representatives on the south coast with 6 female MPs, and 1oo hundreds years on since some women won the right to vote for the first time in UK election, it is continuing to do its bit! Five of those MPs are currently serving within the Government and the sixth is Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee! Quite an achievement!
If any local women would be interested in a future in politics then please drop me a line! Likewise, if you would like an update on the Government’s Brexit proposals, please email me at mims.davies.mp@parliament.uk