BM
21 Mar 2025
MP Newsletter #4: CAN Bill, Local Businesses, Mick Perrin
BM
by Brian Mathew
10 Jan 2025
Dear reader,
A very happy new year to you all and welcome to my first newsletter of 2025.
I sincerely hope that you had a restful and enjoyable festive break. There is very much a ‘back to school’ feeling this week with Parliament sitting once again and a huge variety of constituency visits in my diary.
It was lovely to have a short break, and I had a good time with friends and family walking in the Wiltshire countryside as well as helping at the Devizes Community lunch on Christmas Day, but I’m excited to get back to it and see what 2025 has in store for all of us.
This year we will see far more clearly the direction that this Labour government is planning to take our country in. As Liberal Democrats we will continue to provide constructive opposition to the government as well as supporting them on issues where we find agreement.
As ever, please do follow me on Facebook here and if you wish to speak with me at a surgery please email brian.mathew.mp@parliament.uk to book an appointment.
Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill
This month (January 24th) will see a vital debate take place on the Climate & Nature Bill. This bill has been put forward by my colleague Roz Savage, the Lib Dem MP for South Cotswolds. I will be proudly voting in favour of this bill which will require the government to achieve climate and nature targets and give the Secretary of State a duty to implement a strategy to achieve those targets.
In simple terms this means forcing the government to cut greenhouse gases even faster than they are currently and committing them to reversing the destruction of nature by 2030, as opposed to just halting it as the existing Environment Act asks. Climate change is an existential threat for all of us, and you only have to look at the flooding we’ve experienced here in places like Bradford on Avon and Melksham in recent months to see that reality.
The bill also calls for a climate and nature assembly to be put together to develop an emergency strategy on the way forward – the only way we can tackle this issue is together and we must try to build consensus.
The highlight of my week is often heading back to the constituency on a Thursday and leaving Westminster politics behind to speak to constituents here in Wiltshire, but this bill is so vital to all our futures that I will make the rare decision to remain and vote for it on a Friday.
Working with local businesses
It was on one of these recent constituency days that I met with the owner of Gompels in Melksham. It was impressive to see the scale of their endeavours as well as the employment they provide for local people. I spoke with them about their upcoming planning application to expand their site and will also be meeting with residents and other businesses who have raised concerns to hear their viewpoints too.
I also continue to work closely with Avon Protection who are carrying out extraordinary work in supplying gas masks to the brave Ukrainian fighters. I have been putting pressure on the government and have had conversations with both the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Business & Trade about taking Avon Protection up on their offer to assist. I will continue to keep everyone updated.
Congratualtions Mick!
I want to pass on my congratulations to Michael Perrin for being awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s New Year’s honours list.
Mick is the former President of Melksham Town Football club and received the medal for services to grassroots football and to the community of Melksham.
People like Mick can be found in all our towns and villages across the constituency and the work they do often goes unnoticed and unthanked so it’s particularly pleasing to see him being recognised in such a prestigious way.
Well done Mick!
Best wishes,
Brian Mathew MP
Your Lib Dem MP for Melksham & Devizes