News from our local MP Darren Jones - September 2019

Parliament has been in recess during August, so I have taken the opportunity to enjoy a couple of weeks of family time whilst keeping abreast of the government’s seemingly incessant push for a no-deal Brexit.

I’ve always been clear about my position on Brexit: it’s bad for our country and our city. A no-deal outcome - where practically all of our trade deals are cancelled overnight - will cause generational economic damage and put us at the mercy of Trump-endorsed trade deal with the United States which can’t match our current trade with the EU. 

Analysis has shown around 1400 jobs could be lost in my constituency alone if we leave under a no-deal scenario. I have continued to meet local businesses and unions, from small local businesses to global multi-nationals with a presence in or around Bristol. I simply can’t vote for a weaker British economy, reduced security cooperation, and financial hardship for local workers, businesses and public services. The good news is that my one vote, on your behalf, has already changed British history. We’ve already avoided potential no deal outcomes with a majority of just one vote in the House of Commons. Who your MP is and how they vote on this defining issue has never been more important. As I promised in my 2017 election address: I have been consistent in campaigning and voting for a public ratification of what we do next (a so called Peoples Vote). I will continue to try and secure that public vote and, if successful, I will campaign to remain. In seeking to achieve these outcomes I’m happy to work with any politician, and any constituent, regardless of their party affiliation. 

To ensure I continue to hear your views and answer any questions you have about Brexit as we approach the 31st October deadline, I’ll be hosting another round of Brexit Briefings in October. These will be advertised on my website (www.darren-jones.co.uk) and my Facebook page soon. If you’re not online and would like details of the events, please call my office on 0117 959 6545.

Your Champion in Bristol

I’ve also been using time during recess to contact residents across Bristol North West with updates on some of my work in the constituency including the A4018, North Bristol Transport Plan, Stoke Lodge and climate change. I hope you found this update useful.

Tackling Climate Change remains high on my agenda - I recently met with local members of Extinction Rebellion to talk about their campaign and will also be hosting my own ‘Climate Emergency: Conversation’ on 14th September at the Eastfield Inn in Henleaze. If you’re interested in coming along (they’ll be time for a discussion, Q and A as well as a short update on my environmental work), please book via www.darren-jones.co.uk/contact/cafepolitics or call 0117 959 6545.

I have also been in touch with YTL – the potential developers of a new arena in Filton – as they prepare to submit their planning application to organise an exclusive meeting, which I’ll chair, for residents to attend. We’ll have time to review the planning application, ask questions from the project team and have a quick look around the hangars. The meeting will be held early evening Friday 4th October. If you’d like to come please get in touch.

Thanks also to the team at Love Horfield for inviting me to join their July litter-pick. It’s always fantastic to see people volunteering to help their community – do check out the group as they run a variety of events and clubs locally.

As always, if you have any questions or need my help just drop me an e-mail, call, write to me or message me on my Facebook page. To chat in person, pop along to one of my coffee mornings or pub politics events or ask me a question during my Wednesday night Facebook Live Q&As from 19:30. All the details can be found on my website at www.darren-jones.co.uk/contact/cafepolitics

You can also find me on Facebook at fb.com/darrenjonesmp, on Twitter at @darrenpjones or sign-up to my monthly newsletter at www.darren-jones.co.uk/sign-up.

Darren Jones MP

Member of Parliament, Bristol North West