At the UK General election last December, the Arundel & South Downs constituency had the infamy of being the very last in mainland Britain to declare a result; almost 24 hours after the polls had closed. Following the days of uncertainty following the US Presidential election that incident now seems positively efficient by comparison.
It’s now beyond doubt that Vice President Biden has won the race to the White House. The whole planet should welcome his pledge for the US to re-join the Paris Climate Accords, with its target to reach ‘Net Zero’ carbon emissions by 2050 – a target which this Government was one of the first in the world to sign up to. It is important for governments, businesses and consumers to all do their part to leave the planet in a fit state for the next generation and the US participation will be central to the next Climate Summit (called COP26) in November 2021 hosted by the UK.
That is why I was delighted when the Prime Minster this week appointed me to be the UK’s Net Zero Business Champion to mobilise the UK’s business community and showcase UK plc as a global leader in tackling climate change in the year leading up to COP26. Business has a central role to play in making a successful transition to a low carbon economy with its capacity to innovate, to make changes in the supply chain and to generate the prosperity that will make the choices we make as consumers and citizens much easier to accomplish.
Last Friday I joined the excellent and well attended Horsham Older People’s Forum for their annual ‘MP Question Time’. I fielded informed questions on everything from the geopolitical challenges of China’s rise to the hazards of mobility scooters in the hands of inexperienced users. It was great to engage with such a group of citizens strongly engaged in the local community.
In addition to laying a wreath in Henfield when I held my weekly surgery there last Friday, I was in Arundel Market Place for the ceremony of Remembrance on Sunday. Despite the limitations due to the Covid pandemic many still attended and it was a moving tribute to all of those who have given their lives in the past to protect the freedoms that we benefit from today. These are strange times with the lockdown affecting so many aspects but I am glad this important civic moment in the life of our nation could take place in some form.
