Honouring our war dead in the first constituency Garden of Remembrance

THIS year marks 100 years of Remembrance as we know it today, with the Royal British Legion marking its centenary year. On Monday, I was delighted to plant a remembrance stick in parliament’s very first constituency Garden of Remembrance.

I dedicated my Remembrance tribute to the Yorkshire Regiment for their courage and dedication. I also look forward to paying my respects at remembrance ceremonies this weekend in Dewsbury and Mirfield.

As always, I have enjoyed being out and about in the constituency.

Last week I visited some local schools as part of UK Parliament Week.

Many thanks to the staff and pupils at Farnley Tyas First School and Emley First School for welcoming me. It was great to host our own mock parliament and get the children to participate in some fun activities.

It was also good to join the Yorkshire Ambulance Service on my visit to Manor Croft Academy in Dewsbury for Restart A Heart Day, a global awareness day aimed at increasing bystander CPR. On the day, I learned that a cardiac arrest patient’s chance of survival dramatically increases if CPR can begin before the ambulance service arrives on the scene, which shows the value of learning CPR.

I am grateful to the ambulance service for sharing these life-saving skills as part of the campaign.

I recently had the pleasure of attending the annual general meeting of the Stocksmoor Village Association, where I gave a speech to members, paying tribute to the association’s volunteers.

I also spoke about how I became an MP, my role in the constituency, along with the challenges of being an MP during the pandemic, and my parliamentary contributions.

I have also now undertaken my first day on the Police Service Parliamentary Scheme, which gives MP’s the experience of how their local police work. I am grateful to West Yorkshire Police for giving me firsthand insight into driver, public order and firearms training along with drill practice.

The recent announcement that 619 more police officers have been recruited in West Yorkshire is excellent news. From working with our local police force, I know just how valuable 619 more police officers will be in helping to crack down on crime.

These additional recruits show that – once again – we are delivering on our manifesto commitments, keeping communities safe and delivering on the people’s priorities.

Finally, as we go through the autumn and winter, it is understandable that people are concerned about coronavirus.

Booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are being given to those who were vaccinated in the first phase of the rollout earlier this year, and this will be no earlier than six months after an individual’s second dose.

It is welcome news that more than ten million people across the country have already received a booster jab, and I urge everyone eligible to get their booster vaccine as soon as possible by booking online or at one of our local walk-in sites.

We can all do our bit this winter to protect our loved ones and the NHS and stay ahead in the race against the virus by taking up the offer of a vaccine as soon as we are eligible.

As always, if you would like to visit parliament or would like to contact me about any other matter, please get in touch.

The team and I are here to help. You can contact me via email: mark. eastwood.mp@parliament.uk or telephone 01924 939 007.