Category: Andrea’s Journal

An honour and a privilege to have been invested with my Damehood by the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle this morning. I’m sure my wonderful Mum and Dad will be looking down and smiling.

Andrea Jenykns MP is honoured to received a Damehood (DBE) honour for services in Politics! – (Friday, 9 June, 2023) I am deeply honoured to have been awarded a Damehood (DBE) for public and political services, having been nominated by our Nation’s greatest Prime Minister since Margaret Thatcher, the Rt Hon. Boris Johnson, it was an honour to serve in his Government as a Minister & a Whip.

Across the country, and our region, crime rates are sadly increasing. In particular there has been an increase in both anti-social behaviour related offences, and violent crimes. This is a worrying trend and more must be done to fight back to keep crime rates low and our communities safe.

This summer, I told the Minister for Policing, Nick Hurd MP, that the people of my constituency, Morley and Outwood, want to see more police officers on the streets. I was pleased when he told me that the Government has taken steps that have led to an additional £460 million of investment going into the police system, including another £9.9 million for West Yorkshire.

A key commitment for Morley and Outwood is to hold local authorities to account. With this increased investment, the Police and Crime Commissioner for our area has said he will recruit more than 140 additional police officers and staff. This is welcome, however we must ensure an increase in police visibility comes quickly in order to catch criminals and deter anti-social behaviour cases in particular.

I have launched a petition on my website so that constituents can back my campaign to fight crime in our area. With more signatures, the pressure on local authorities, such as the Police and Crime Commissioner, to deliver on their promises will increase and we will see the positive impacts of the Government’s increased investments more immediately. You can sign up to this campaign on my website at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/y6unoype

More must be done to tackle violent crime also. I have arranged a meeting with the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid MP. I hope the Home Secretary agrees with me that more needs to be done to tackle crime and keep Yorkshire safe. Through stricter sentences, we will be able to better deter criminals before they commit crimes, which will both keep our area safe and also cut costs to fighting crime.

I am proposing an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons on this subject, pushing for longer sentences and more custodial sentences to be handed down to those found guilty of committing violent crime in order to keep the public safe and to deter further violent offences and to revive trust in our legal justice system.

Finally, we have recently seen the police being forced to use more active methods in order to fight moped related crimes, such as the use of reasonable and proportionate force. I, like the Home Secretary, welcome this. For too long the police have been restrained whilst criminals corrupted our societies. I am pleased that these tactics have helped reduce moped crime in London by 36% year on year and hope for further successes going forward.

More must be done to tackle crime, and together we can find ways to help keep our communities safe.

You don’t need to be a pollster like Lord Ashcroft to get a sense that the British people are losing patience with the ongoing Brexit negotiations. Whether you voted Leave or Remain, the phrase “just get on with it” is common among those who believe we must implement the wishes of the British people. Anyone who has recently watched the news can recognise this feeling: people just want it to be over. The general antipathy towards a so-called People’s Vote is the same feeling that was articulated by Brenda from Bristol at the announcement of the last general election: “You’re joking! Not another one!”

The proposal of the Prime Minister to further extend the transition period doesn’t just defy all logic and common sense, it is also dangerous. Dangerous for the international credibility of our country, which might be seen as getting cold feet on the crucial decisions that shape its future. Disastrous for democracy, with the deceptive Chequers deal leaving us half in-half out, when British voters were offered two clear alternatives, whether to leave or remain.

It would be catastrophic for the political stability of the country which is arguably more fractured than ever before. It would also be damaging for the future of the Conservative Party, whose first political objective at the current time is to deliver the Brexit that the people have voted for. Hundreds of thousands of voters would feel betrayed and would be ready to fly towards populist shores, on both the Right and the Left, handing Jeremy Corbyn the keys to Number 10.

Kicking Brexit into the long grass for “a matter of months”, or perhaps even a year, would be an act of disloyalty towards Conservative voters and anyone who chose to leave and take back control. It might even mean re-entering the EU through the back door, with even worse conditions than we had before, wasting more and more taxpayers’ money in these excruciating negotiations.

Earlier this summer, I and other colleagues wrote a cross-party letter to the Prime Minister, urging her to show courage and leadership in our negotiations, and we set out our red lines. Our letter clearly stated we would not accept any extension to the transition period beyond 31 December 2020 or any extension to the two-year withdrawal period as stated in Article 50.

Theresa May’s stubbornness and failure to listen to her Brexiteer Cabinet ministers, grassroots Conservatives and those who voted for her in good faith has already had repercussions for her credibility and her support inside and outside Parliament. The universal rebuke of her Chequers plan is only the latest demonstration of that.

The journey matters just as much as the destination and, to date, our trip has been plagued with problems and delays. Brexit provided hope for millions of people and, to many, this hope is rapidly diminishing. I genuinely believe that our country’s best days lie ahead outside of the EU, but we cannot continue to retreat when we should be pushing forward. Victory is within our grasp so let us stand firm and deliver on the promises made to the British people. An extended transition period would look more like a blue and yellow Brexit, rather than the red, white and blue one that was promised by May.

Every Prime Minister, every leader has a chosen mission. Theresa May’s mission is to deliver Brexit and to keep her promise that the UK will not be a member of the European Union as of 11 pm of the 29th March 2019. Not one day more. If she can’t deliver Brexit before the deadline, it is time to step aside and let somebody else do the job.

If the Tories let her tie us into an arrangement we cannot escape from, the voters will never forgive us

I am deeply concerned that the British people have been betrayed. From what I am hearing, the Prime Minister’s draft agreement will result in a bad deal and fails to deliver on the promises she made.

For many, a potential withdrawal agreement will come as a relief after a tiresome and drawn-out process. No-one would like to get us out of the EU faster than me, but the details of this agreement are incredibly important, and unless we get this right there could be huge ramifications for the party and country.

It appears we could be staying in the customs union, perhaps indefinitely. This would be completely unacceptable, leaving us unable to take advantage of the freedoms that Brexit offers, and tied from negotiating free trade deals with non-EU countries.

Leave-supporting MPs will come under increased pressure to reject the draft agreement. Now it is time for them to show some steel.

It appears Mrs May doesn’t have the numbers to get this deal through the House relying only on Conservative and DUP votes. However, a small number of Labour backbenchers have sounded out the idea of supporting her if this stops us leaving the EU with no deal. What effect will this have on the morale and trust of our Parliamentary party and hard working Conservative party members? To see their leader relying on Labour votes to enact her defining – and damaging – policy will be a bitter pill to swallow.

Indeed, a poor agreement could be the biggest disaster for the Conservative party in a generation. The Prime Minister’s agreement is not only a bad deal today – it risks poisoning the well for her future successors.

Following the 2017 general election, Theresa May has shown that we cannot win again with her as leader. No matter what happens, she is the past. For the Tories to allow her to sign us up to an agreement that the next Prime Minister cannot escape from would be catastrophic. The promise of Brexit will be forever tarnished, and we will be blamed.

For the sake of both our country and party, I hope that my colleagues see beyond the draft agreement and look ahead to the future. Many of them have aspirations of their own, and could find themselves one day having to deal with the consequences of a deal that is not Brexit and a population dismayed by false promises. If any of them want to one day lead our party then they must now make their voices heard publicly.

We need to be rule makers when we leave. We need to take back control, and be true to all the promises made to the British people at the 2016 referendum.

If we don’t deliver on our promise now and reject a bad deal, I fear for the future of our country, which desperately needs a party in power advocating the principles of hard work, personal responsibility and freedom. Without the Conservatives in government, the economy will suffer and we will be poorer as a result.

It isn’t Brexit which poses a risk to the UK: it is a future where the Conservative party is in opposition.

I have written to the Chancellor seeking clarification regarding whether any more British taxpayers money will be paid to the EU after 29th March 2019 (Brexit day). I will update you when I get a response.

See my letter below: 

Rt. Hon. Philip Hammond MP
Chancellor of the Exchequer
HM Treasury, 
1 Horse Guards Road, 
London, 
SW1A 2HQ

Dear Chancellor

I am writing to you to ask for clarity regarding the powers afforded to the executive in relation to the United Kingdom’s payments to the European Union once we leave after March 29th 2019.

We currently pay towards the Multiannual Financial Framework ( the budget) of the EU. It is unclear if there will be a deal on Brexit, despite it being Government policy, or if there will be a transition post March 29th. Furthermore it has been mooted in the media that Article 50 negotiations could be extended beyond this date.

Does the Treasury or any other executive branch of government have authority to pay into the EU or its institutions after this date without parliamentary approval via a binding vote?

Does the Government have the power to request and then enact an extension to Article 50 negotiations without parliamentary approval via a binding vote?

What legal advice has the Treasury received regarding its ability to authorise the funding of an extension to Article 50 or a transition period following it, and from where?

Given the advanced state of negotiations with the European Union the United Kingdom must have clarity on these matters that the Finance Bill can enjoy full support.

Best wishes,

Andrea Jenkyns MP

First of all, I would like to start by expressing what an honour it has been to be your Member of Parliament for the past two years. It has been a real privilege to visit hundreds of fantastic local business to learn about the brilliant work they do for our local economy; providing jobs, prosperity and growth. It has also been a privilege to meet thousands of local residents, to hear about your concerns and what I can do to help. I love how patriotic our area is, as St. George’s Day in Morley always attracts huge crowds. This year, thousands of people went to the Parade and I was able to take my little boy Clifford, who got to show off his new Union Jack shoes which he loved. I am delighted that I have been re-selected as the Conservative Party Candidate for Morley and Outwood and I will continue to fight for our brilliant local area.

I will continue to fight for our local area through five key areas; campaigning for a successful Brexit, securing better transport links, holding the local council to account, sustainable housing and patient safety in our healthcare system.

After campaigning strongly for a vote to Leave the European Union and being MP regional coordinator for Vote Leave for all of Yorkshire’s constituencies, securing a successful Brexit is a strong priority of mine. As one of the 21 members of the Exiting the European Union Select Committee in Parliament, back in December I put pressure on the Government to give British business a clear date for triggering Article 50, in order for them to plan accordingly. Putting pressure on the Government is a role of mine within the Select Committee, and if I am re-elected I will continue doing so in order to try and secure a successful Brexit to allow the creation of a new, outward looking and prosperous Britain.

Securing better transport is a crucial necessity for our area. In order for you and I to get to work on time, see our families enough, get to hospital when we need to and get to schools and other crucial services promptly, we need good transport links. So far, I have managed to secure improvements to Morley Station. Following extensive meetings with Ministers and station stakeholders, I was able to get clear commitments to improving regularity and reliability of trains to Manchester and Leeds, ticketing options, lighting and exploring additional parking. I have also held two bus surgeries, with Arriva, First Bus and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority present, for them to meet local residents and hear about the concerns they had about bus travel around the area. These events were extremely helpful, not only because I was able to hear about residents’ concerns first hand, but residents were also able to discuss their views on local transport directly with those responsible for managing it.

As a Conservative Member of Parliament I am committed to continue standing up to the Labour-run council when their decisions are not in the best interest of local area. Having met residents of Seigen Manor and their families, I campaigned against its closure. I organised petitions and met Leeds City Council on numerous occasions to protest against their decision. I also disagreed with the Council’s proposals to build homes on Greenfield Land; Lane Side Farm, Drighlington. I started a petition and met nearby residents to protest the plans that would cause havoc to the local area.

On the topic of Lane Side Farm, sustainable housing is a crucial national and local issue that I will continue to focus on if I am re-elected. While I completely understand that homes need to be built in order to house our aging and expanding population, brownfield and not greenbelt sites need to be prioritised. Leeds City Council are aware of an abundance of brownfield sites that are yet to be built on, and they should focus on these. If I am re-elected as your MP I will continue fighting against the planned destruction of our community’s precious green spaces as I have been doing already through a variety of campaigns, and encourage the use of derelict building sites that have not been used to their full potential. I will continue pressing the Government to make sustainable decisions as I did in my letter to the Secretary of State, Sajid Javid, asking him to call in the Lane Side Farm planning application for the betterment of our community.

One other priority of mine will be focussing on healthcare standards. Patient safety is the reason I came in to politics in the first place. Having lost my dad to a patient safety related issue, I pledged to campaign for more transparency in our health service. Once entering Parliament I started the Patient Safety All Party Parliamentary Group; bringing Labour, SNP and Conservative MPs together to investigate issues such as anti-microbial resistance and malnutrition. I also joined the Health Select Committee, to explore important national health issues. Locally, I have met with the Chief Executives of both Leeds Teaching Hospital and Pinderfields Hospital to discuss best practice and improvements, focusing on how healthcare professionals can work to enhance patient safety. I have spoken in 30 debates relating to healthcare in the Chamber of the House of Commons and I have submitted 30 written questions, asking the Government for clarification on a variety of Health related proposals. My work and passion for the NHS will continue if I am re-elected.

Thank you for reading and, as ever, if you would like to get in contact with me please do so using the following link: https://www.andreajenkyns.co.uk/contact-andrea.

First of all, let me start by wishing every reader a happy New Year. I hope you all had a lovely, relaxing Christmas with family and friends and I hope 2017 brings you much happiness. Christmas was a busy time for me, I moved house locally very near my constituency office and it was wonderful to be in my new home ready for Christmas.

Looking back, 2016 was an incredible year for politics, locally and nationally.

Locally, I have personally worked on 1,600 different cases over the past year, exploring varied issues surrounding my constituents. As well as working on casework I have also visited 40 local businesses and held 60 surgeries over 2016, to meet and keep in touch with the wonderful community of Morley and Outwood.

Nationally, 2016 was the year of Brexit.

Undoubtedly, the year’s most significant development for British politics was the EU referendum. On the 23rd of June Britain voted to Leave the institution, and set a new path of prosperity towards the future.

Before the referendum, I campaigned vigorously to Leave. I took part in TV debates and I was regional coordinator for Vote Leave in Yorkshire. Personally, I felt that EU bureaucracy had sapped our nation’s right to control its borders, laws, budgets and trade.

When, on the 24th of June, the result became apparent that the majority of the Yorkshire and Humber region as well as the rest of the Nation had voted to Leave, I was incredibly proud and excited.

We would be able to forge a new future, a future that brings the country together and joins us all in working towards a successful, outward looking, free-trading Britain.

In Westminster, following the referendum, a Select Committee for exiting the EU was established. I knew this would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of our withdrawal process, so I campaigned to be a member.

I was elected and since then, I have been able to question witnesses such as John Longworth from Leave Means Leave and the Brexit Secretary David Davis. Their testimonies, as well as the positive news that businesses continue to believe in the strength of the British economy by providing investment and employment opportunities, indicate that Brexit will be a successful project.

In addition to the select committee and also in Westminster, I had the opportunity to analyse and debate countless and varied topics, from business policy, to health, to education and foreign policy. I was able to present issues directly facing my constituents to the House and call Ministers to action in order to resolve problems facing you, the people of Morley and Outwood.

Having visited 13 schools this past year and seeing the great work they do, I was delighted at being able to support them by asking the Schools Minister on curriculum and grading issues that head-teachers and school Governors had raised with me personally. Holding the Government to account on issues that affect my constituents is an essential responsibility, and it is a responsibility I take great pride in doing.

Looking forward, 2017 is already shaping up to be another exciting year for Britain. I look forward to seeing Article 50 invoked before the end of March and as a member of the Brexit Select Committee, I will scrutinise this process closely to make sure the democratic referendum result is upheld. For businesses, I am looking forward to seeing the benefits that lower business rates as announced in the Autumn Statement will bring. I will continue visiting local businesses as part of my ‘On the Shop Floor’ campaign, to make sure that they are being supported.

If you ever have an issue you would like to raise with me, please do not hesitate to contact me at https://www.andreajenkyns.co.uk/contact-andrea

Thank you for reading.