Above: Some of the many people who made my recent election campaign such a colourful experience.

As you will know I was re-elected as your Member of Parliament for the seventh time in nearly a quarter of a century with a reduced majority of 2,500. I want to thank you very much for once again placing your faith and trust in me.

I have fought 11 General Election campaigns, and this one was undoubtedly the most strenuous.

During the course of the campaign, I was fortunate to enjoy the support of a fantastic team of more than 100 volunteers who leafleted, canvassed and telephoned thousands of residents on my behalf. I express my deepest gratitude and thanks to each and every one of them.

I also personally met hundreds of people on the doorstep across the Royal Town. I am so grateful for the generally warm and supportive tone of those conversations.

Of course, not everyone supported me and many of those who did lend me their vote made it clear they backed me because of my record as a constituency MP, and that they were not voting for the Conservative government nationally.

My party will now need to regroup and provide a constructive and effective opposition to the new government. We will need to learn the harsh lessons from this defeat.

I want to thank my totally brilliant campaign team led by Campaign Manager Richard Parkin, Deputy Tony Briggs and my Agent Jack Annett. We successfully delivered thousands of letters and leaflets trying to make our case and win your support in countless conversations and communications.

I also want to thank the other candidates. Whatever our disagreements, this was on the whole a clean and constructive contest which, for the most part, avoided personal attacks which only serve to degrade the important role of politics and the trust of voters in our democracy.

I also want to thank all of those involved in the count at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, presided over for the seventh time by Trish as the highly efficient Returning Officer.

The result remained uncertain until the early hours last Friday morning and for only the second time in my political career I had prepared two speeches depending on the outcome. I was glad, as dawn broke over the Royal Town, that I was able to deliver the winning speech!

Finally, once again I would like to thank the people of Sutton Coldfield for entrusting their confidence and support in me.

I pledge to continue to work tirelessly for Sutton Coldfield and to deliver my four key priorities in the run up to our 500th anniversary as a Royal Town: to drive forward the development of the new Town Centre, secure the future of the Cottage Hospital, back the renewal of the Town Hall and fight to create a new Trust that will bring inward investment for Sutton Park, which has been neglected by Birmingham City Council for too long.

I will continue to lead the fight against the closure of our Police Station, support local charities and voluntary organisations and oppose Labour Birmingham’s cuts which are causing untold damage to our Town and its residents.

And I will do so for everyone who lives in the constituency- regardless of whether or not they supported me - which I remain so immensely proud and privileged to represent in the House of Commons.

We are so lucky to have our historic charitable trust
 

Above: With Tina Swani and Keith Dudley of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust.

Just hours after being re-elected as Sutton Coldfield’s member of parliament, I was delighted to be able to get straight back to the job at an important annual event.

Each year the Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust – which has been supporting local people and organisations since Tudor times – holds an annual reception at its Lingard House base in Walmley.

The Chair’s Reception provides an opportunity to review the Trust’s important work over the previous 12 months, as well as looking ahead.

So, I was delighted to join chair Keith Dudley, CEO Tina Swani, trustees, partners and team members to hear about some of the brilliant things the Trust has done over the last year, during which it handed out more than a million pounds in grants.

Work included everything from helping to fund a UK-first disabled golf green at Walmley Golf Club to helping local families with the cost of school uniforms.

The Trust is an invaluable part of Sutton life, and we are so lucky to have it. In my first job after being re-elected, I told the trustees about the huge amount of funding that is heading into the Royal Town; to the town centre, town hall and Cottage Hospital, as well as the ambitions we all share to safeguard the future of Sutton Park.

I believe that, as we approach the 500th anniversary of Sutton’s Royal Charter, the Trust has an important role to play in what could be something of a renaissance for the town.

A new school takes shape for New Oscott
 

Above: Visiting the site of the new New Oscott Primary School, which is now under construction.

Today (Friday, July 12th) I visited the building site which will, by October 2025, be the site of a brand new New Oscott Primary School.

I had a tour of the site and saw the plans for the brilliantnew facility which will soon be taking shape here. I was joined by AlisonWalklett, the head teacher and a group of exceptional achievers among the youngpeople at the school.

It was a particular pleasure to see the progress being made. Some time ago, I had intervened with the Minister for Education to urge that this school be rebuilt and strongly supported Alison and the school’s very strong case for a full rebuild.

It was a pleasure to meet and thank those designing and delivering this full new build, along with representatives of the Department for Education.

It will be a school that New Oscott – and the whole of Sutton – can be proud of.

Fighting for the future of Four Oaks Playgroup

This week I had a meeting with senior officials from the Department for Education on the issue of the much-loved playgroup at Four Oaks Primary School. I am extremely concerned that the fabulous new rebuild of this great school is not adequately including the long-term viability of a highly respected and admired local playgroup, which is much in demand from local parents

Without in any way delaying this great new school development, which was agreed and financed by the last government, I am trying to ensure we reach a solution that works for everyone.

I see no reason why this Playgroup should be adversely affected by the rebuild.

I will be having further meetings, I hope, next week to seek to get this problem - which is of much concern locally – resolved.

Limbering up for Community Games
 

Above: the tug-of-war at the Community Games between the town’s elected politicians and the youth of Sutton Coldfield.

It’s that time of year again where sports clubs and organisations from across Royal Sutton Coldfield are limbering up to take part in the brilliant Community Games, which take place this weekend.

I am so pleased to have been a supporter of this event since it was first launched, as it gives sports clubs a chance to showcase what they offer to members of the public, while giving local residents an opportunity to try their hand at all kinds of activities. More than anything, it promotes the simple benefits of being more active.

At each event adults and children can collect stickers for trying different activities which earns them their very own medal to take away with them. It’s a brilliant Sutton success story.

The Games began life as one of many events across the UK organised in tandem with the 2012 Olympics. However, it is a measure of its inspirational organiser Dennis Kennedy, founder of Inspire Activity, that it is not only still going strong, but has spread to inspire more events in neighbouring towns.

What’s the highlight of this festival of sport? It has to be the tug of war between Sutton’s elected politicians and local youth – and I’m ready to play my part again!

The Sutton Coldfield Community Games is a two-day community event being held on Saturday 13th July and Sunday 14th July, 2024 at Wylndley, with more than 30 different activities from local activity providers and clubs.

The cost is £5 per child, with adults asked to make a donation of £2.

Putting speed camera fines to good use

I have been contacted by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) about his wish to see the money raised by the region’s speed cameras stay here.

While I disagree with the PCC on some issues, not least his intention to close Sutton Coldfield Police Station, there may be some merit in this idea, which could see the money used for road safety initiatives across the region.

Birmingham in particular has seen some truly tragic roadtraffic fatalities in recent times, and there is no doubt that more needs to bedone to raise awareness of road safety.

So, I am happy to support this idea in principle, subject toabsolute clarity about where the funds acquired will be deployed, by whom, andfor what purpose. If we are to get this money, it’s vital that it isringfenced for very specific uses that make our roads safer, and that there isno risk of it disappearing into the black hole of Birmingham’s financial meltdown.

I would also wish to see Royal Sutton Coldfield TownCouncil consulted on the idea.

Could a riding school replace Donkey Sanctuary in the Park?
 

Just Before the election was called, the sad news was announced that the donkey sanctuary in our Park is closing, subject to statutory consultations.

The next phase of these consultations has now started with the centre’s staff and the careful process of finding new homes for the donkeys has also begun.

The question remains: what will become of the site should the closure go ahead? There have been various ideas from people in our Town, which Councillor David Pears and I have received and have passed on to the Donkey Sanctuary for their consideration .

I think the one which seems to chime most closely with local views would be to see a riding school there (horses not donkeys) which could reach into local communities and give residents an opportunity to ride in our park.

Of course, there may be reasons why this might not be feasible, though none so far come to mind.

Accordingly, I am discussing this idea further with the Donkey Sanctuary next week.

If there is anyone interested in pursuing this idea from the local riding and horse community, I would urge them to please email me and I will forward your details to the Donkey Sanctuary.

The current lease is surprisingly reasonable so, for the right professional organisation, a real opportunity might exist to make brilliant use of this beautiful space so close to the centre of Britain’s Second City.

Keeping an eye on new Government’s home building plans

Alert residents of our Royal Town will have noticed the reference by the new Chancellor of the Exchequer in her speech on Monday in the Treasury to the house building programme at Langley.

This, I believe, is the second largest house building development in the country which we vigorously opposed at the time as an assault on Sutton Coldfield’s green belt.

Now, however, it is happening, and the thrust of my activity is to ensure that it is properly resourced with medical and school facilities and that we build communities that have the right infrastructure.

Clearly any attempt to further destroy our green belt’s protection or build on it will be met with great anger and opposition. We all want to see more homes built - especially for young people - but they must be built in the right places.

The political wheel turns in the Commons
 

This week saw the new Parliament return on Tuesday, to elect a Speaker. To universal acclamation, Sir Lindsay Hoyle was re-elected in a quaint but rather nice ceremony – which sees him dragged ‘reluctantly’ to his seat in an age-old piece of parliamentary theatre.

Of course, this new Parliament is very different to the last one (not least as we Tories are sitting on the opposition benches!) and it is also the most diverse Parliament has ever been.

It’s all reminiscent of the last time the political wheel turned like this, in 1997, as we try to negotiate and find our new offices.

I have been asked to be the Shadow Foreign Secretary and seek to hold my old Department, the Foreign Office, to account  We know that any government is improved by a good and effective opposition and we will work hard to do this.

YMCA Visits parliament

I was so pleased to welcome Sutton Coldfield YMCA to Parliament on Monday, despite us having some difficulty in getting on to the estate! Due to the new Parliament beginning the next day, the estate was brimming with new MPs receiving their induction, but I was glad to still be able to give YMCA (a slightly shortened) tour, finishing off on the terrace! See picture below.

Thank you to Cllr Alex Yip for arranging this visit and I hope everyone had a good time.
 

Oath of allegiance

I swore my Oath of Allegiance on Tuesday, customary for all MPs as we take our seats in the House of Commons at the start of a new parliament: https://www.andrew-mitchell-mp.co.uk/parliament/oath-allegiance
 

Further information

Upcoming Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID events
 

JULY

1.    Saturday 13th July 10am-4pm – EURO FOOTBALL FUN

2.    Sunday 28th July 10am-3pm – FARMERS & CRAFTMARKET

3.    FRIDAY 19TH- Sunday 28TH JULY – JAZZ FESTIVAL:

19th  The Duke Inn  20:00  Willy & The Poorboys

20th  Simpson’s Gin Bar  19:00  Sheila Waterfield Trio

21st Patty Freaks 13:00 Calypso Moon

22nd  Coffee#1  13:00  Roy Forbes

22nd Heavenly Desserts  16:00  Playing Django

22nd The Three Tuns 19:30 The Shakedown Brothers

23rd  Tokin Tea  13:00 Tenement Jazz Band

23rd Brewhouse & Kitchen 20:00 Big Al Nicholls Band

24th The Gate 19:30 Honey boy Hickling Band

25th  Eleon 19:00 Swing Café

26th Caffe Botanico  13:00 The Washboard Resonators

26th Brewhouse & Kitchen 15:00 Hot Club of Halifax

28th PattyFreaks 13:00 The Upsiders

28th The Station 19:00 Warren James Skiffle Group
 

AUGUST

1.    Saturday 10th August 10am-3pm – KID’S CARFEST

2.    Sunday 25th August 10am-3pm – FARMERS & CRAFTMARKET

3.    Tuesday 27th August 11am-4pm – KID’S MUSIC WORKSHOP

SEPTEMBER

1.    Saturday 14th September 10am-8pm – FOOD FESTIVAL

2.    Sunday 15th September 10am-5pm – FOOD FESTIVAL

3.    Sunday 29th September 10am-3pm – FARMERS & CRAFTMARKET

OCTOBER

1.    Sunday 27th October 10am-3pm – FARMERS & CRAFTMARKET

2.    Halloween event TBC

NOVEMBER

3.    Sunday 17th November – VEGAN MARKET

4.    Sunday 24th November 10am-3pm – FARMERS & CRAFTMARKET

5.    Christmas events TBC

Free Heart Test, by CRY UK
 

Get involved with UK Parliament Week this November

Over 2,000 organisations all over the country have already signed up for this year’s UK Parliament Week (18-24 November)!

Join in to explore UK Parliament. Find out what happens at Parliament and learn how your group can get involved. Sign up today to get your free kit!

https://www.ukparliamentweek.org/en/sign-up/?utm_campaign=0524-mar-ee-ukpw24-signup&utm_medium=email&utm_source=yourukparliamentb2c
 

Breast Friends, Make Up Workshops
 

History at Holy Trinity
 

MMR immunisation and measles awareness

Measles is circulating in the West Midlands, and the MMR vaccination provides the best protection against measles.

Please be aware of measles symptoms: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/

If you think you or your child may have measles, contact your GP practice but do not visit unless instructed, as measles can spread to others easily, and 1 in 15 children can develop serious complications, such as meningitis and blindness.

For protection against measles, contact your GP practice to get your MMR immunisations.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/46QPPn1
 

MHRC Locations

Please see below the visits scheduled for the week commencing 22nd July 2024 of the BCC Mobile Household Recycling Centre.

·       Wed 24/07/2024, Plants Brook Road B761EX, 07:30 - 13:00, Sutton Walmley & Minworth