This week, we debated in Parliament the Police and Criminal Justice Bill, which seeks to back our police by equipping officers with the power and tools they need to keep themselves and our communities safe. This law will double jail sentences for those found guilty of assaulting emergency workers, introduce tougher sentencing for the worst offenders and end the scandal of ‘automatic halfway release’ from prison. It will also make Sussex roads safer by increasing the maximum penalty for causing death by drink or drug driving to life imprisonment. There can never be an excuse for getting behind the wheel of a vehicle when intoxicated, so this is most welcome. Together with Police Commissioner Katy Bourne, I have been a big supporter of the ongoing efforts by Sussex Police to tackle anti-social and dangerous driving and I hope that these tougher penalties act as a strong deterrent.
One law that we can already celebrate passing is the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill, which I was in the Commons in person to support last Friday. Britain was the first country in the world to recognise the importance of animal welfare, with the RSPCA dating back to 1824. Even today, the Great British public vote with their wallets to make animal welfare causes some of the most popular in the country. By enforcing tougher sentences for animal cruelty, we are continuing a proud tradition of protecting animals from abusers and sending a strong message about British values.
Alongside the brilliant work of GP’s across the Arundel & South Downs constituency, Sussex NHS Trust runs run a number of vaccine centres and on Saturday I was delighted to visit the team at the Westergate Leisure Centre in Chichester. Although it lies within the constituency of my neighbour, Gillian Keegan MP, the centre serves many of the residents whom I represent so it was fantastic to see the spacious set up, the slick throughput of patients and - above all else - the wonderful team work of the friendly volunteers and professionals. Whilst visiting, I presented them with a Covid Community Champions award - they truly are!
