Wera Hobhouse MP: Transport and pollution priorities

The Bath Transport and Pollution Conference, which drew an audience of 200 residents, activists and councillors, was a triumph for the people of Bath, who seized the opportunity to engage with each other on such important local issues. We need to collectively take these forward. Whoever is running the council next year will have no choice but to take transport and pollution very seriously and act upon the electorate’s concerns. We urgently need to implement clear, workable strategies to ensure that Bath is a healthy and beautiful city for all those who live and work here. ■ My Private Members’ Bill to make upskirting a specific criminal offence became the focus of a media storm when MP Christopher Chope objected to it. This caused national outrage, adding huge public support to my efforts. As a result, the Government initiated a rare Parliamentary procedure to fast-track progress on the Voyeurism Offences Bill. I am pleased to see action being taken to ensure this Bill progresses as quickly as possible. I introduced this Bill to protect the victims of this crime and therefore my priority has and will always be that upskirting becomes a specific sexual offence as quickly as possible. ■ Brexit was front and centre in Parliament. Given the momentous impact Brexit will have on our future, I was deeply disappointed to have so little time to debate it and by the outcome of the vote in the House of Commons. I have yet to see any evidence that Brexit would bring anything but harm to our country as a whole and to Bath. I was so proud to march with my constituents in Bath for Europe at the massive People’s Vote March in London. ■ I was thrilled to see a victorious outcome of the campaign to Save Foxhill. Residents on the estate no longer have to live with the threat of demolition of their homes. It’s deeply worrying that the council did not fulfil its legal obligations in a decision that affected so many people, and it will have to look very seriously at its procedures moving forward. I’ve spent a significant amount of time with residents in Foxhill working on this, and I’m moved by their community spirit and love of the area. ■ Bath has been glorious over the last month, and I’ve been lucky to take part in some fantastic events in the sun. I recently dropped in on Bath Boules, took part in Bike Bath and opened the Widcombe Midsummer Party. I also spoke at the prize-giving at St Gregory’s. It’s brilliant to see so many impressive young people flourishing in our city.