Rutland and Stamford MP reflects on one year in the role since General Election
MP for Rutland and Stamford Alicia Kearns was re-elected a year ago this month in the 2024 General Election. In the year since then, she's been busy in both Rutland and London, as well as dealing with a high-risk pregnancy and complications.
In her July newsletter, she reflects on her year as MP, including the promises that she made to voters.
According to Kearns, 'well over 2,500 residents have come to us seeking support for a serious personal issue in the last year – that's almost 50 people a week in need of complex support from us.
'Together with my team, we have resolved everything from housing issues and long-standing disputes with DWP on pension support and welfare, to licensing issues with DVLA and DVSA. We have helped residents access vital support from health and social services and assisted residents with issues relating to billing and meters with utility companies, as well as supporting veterans, children with special educational needs, and families facing abuse and serious criminality.'
Rutland's new on-demand bus service has been a big success over the last year, with this week the CallConnect service being rolled out across the county.
According to Kearns, 'There's also lots more to come with the Levelling Up Funds I secured with the Council, from a new Medi-Tech Centre to boost our economy and employment, to revamping our tourism offer with the Rutland Museum makeover!'
Kearns has been busy as part of the 'Save Rutland' campaign, following the announcement that the Government want Local Government Reorganisation. The petition to Save Rutland was signed by over 7,000 Rutlanders in six weeks and was presented by Kearns to Parliament, making it one of the biggest wet-petitions presented to Parliament this century.
Kearns believes that the good will to protect Rutland's ceremonial status remains and is hopeful the government will adopt one of the solutions she presented to them. She is continuing to push for confirmation and a definite plan soon.
She also held a series of public meetings in Oakham and Stamford to keep residents informed of Local Government Reform, including answering questions and criticisms.
Kearns' re-election saw the relaunch of Rutland's Great Dementia Conversation, working to improve awareness and support for those with dementia and their families locally, as well as promoting signs of dementia to boost diagnosis rates.
Kearns said: 'Our Conversation was supported by so many wonderful organisations, businesses and individuals, including Stephen Fry, John and Nula Suchet at Victoria Hall last year, and concluded with an afternoon with national treasure Angela Rippon and a panel of national dementia experts providing expertise and advice. You can find out more about support and advice available to you at www.rutlanddementia.com. '
According to Kearns, 'the impact of Labour's Autumn Budget on farmers continues to be felt across our communities, especially the Family Farm Tax. This was followed by a series of further unexplained decisions which may have irreparable damage on our country's food production capabilities.
'Following these announcements, I held meetings with farmers in Lincolnshire to identify how I could support them in the face of Government hostility, and I brought the Shadow Farming Minister to meet local farmers in Rutland and Leicestershire to discuss how we protect food production in our country and what requests could be made of Government to lessen the impact of their decisions. I've kept meeting with farmers and have attended the protests in Parliament meeting with farmers there as well. I won't stop making the case for our food security and the protection of our rural way of life – and have raised my concerns in Parliament repeatedly: here, here and here.'
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