In a national crisis, the government must listen to MPs from all parties – and their constituents

19th March, 2020

Today I begged Treasury minister John Glen to listen to MPs’ suggestions from across the House of Commons and put them into action.

We are facing a public health emergency. We are also facing an unprecedented economic crisis affecting every person in this country, in different and complicated ways. Members of Parliament can play a critical role in responding to this.

Thousands of people and organisations in Bristol are contacting me with urgent concerns regarding their health, business viability, livelihoods or wellbeing. I am feeding this back to the government, scrutinising the measures and making sure the handling of the crisis is the most effective it can be.

This is bigger than party politics. Tory MP Bernard Jenkin and I come from very different ends of the political spectrum in Westminster – yet when he and I agree, it shows that we can all work together during these difficult times.

I am compiling a list of concerns, questions and challenges from individuals and businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis. If you have something you would like me to put to the government, please get in touch.