As many of us head back to school or work this week after a long summer break, in conjunction with the Plymouth Herald, this is going to be Plymouth’s annual “Talk don’t suffer” campaign week.Mental Health provision in this City has come a long way, but for too many it ... Read More
05
Sep2016
25
Aug2016
Standing for parliament took me to the forefront of a political campaign, and along the way I discovered how volunteering can change society.
Joining the campaign trail
It was during the long wet winter of 2014 that I left the British army to pursue a rather maddening, ambitious, and potentially futile attempt ... Read More
14
Jul2016
A reshuffle means new people to work with in government.I'm committed to ensuring we work with with government to achieve the best possible outcomes for Plymouth. That's why today I wrote to the new Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, to encourage him to publish the feasibility study for Plymouth airport as ... Read More
17
Jun2016
This week's update will not include any of my work.Jo Cox, our fellow colleague of 2015 vintage, was murdered in a targetted attack in her constituency on Thursday morning.I did not know Jo particularly well. I was aware she was a fellow boat-dweller with her young family, and I met ... Read More
06
Jun2016
It’s Thursday night and I’ve just put the girls to bed. We’re living rough for a few days; it’shalf term so I can’t let them enjoy it too much. As if that wasn’t bad enough, I’m putting them through an EU referendum debate on Sky.The PM is on; my seven-year-old remembers ... Read More
24
May2016
For many years, British service personnel have been treated with a controversial anti-malaria drug despite warnings issued by its manufacturer. The Commons defence select committee, of which I am a member, has heard from scientists, lawyers and servicemen to try to understand why.Malaria is a fatal disease and requires a ... Read More
23
Apr2016
Compassion and caution must both be at the heart of our response to the refugee crisis
It is only fair that if one asks the government to do more, we should acknowledge when it does so. The Syrian conflict moves at a frightening pace. The families caught up ... Read More
22
Apr2016
Johnny Mercer MP will be hosting a ‘brain drain’ conference later this year to tackle issues surrounding the reasons why so many skilled young people and graduates leave Plymouth each year to find workToday, Friday 22 April, Johnny Mercer MP announced Plymouth’s first ‘brain drain conference’ targeted at retaining talented ... Read More
13
Apr2016
Democracy is a precious thing. In 2014, we saw a referendum in Scotland as to whether the Scottish people wanted to remain part of the United Kingdom.The question put before the Scottish people ignited strong emotions on both sides of the argument. Democracy in action is a beautiful thing, but ... Read More
06
Apr2016
I have been approached by several constituents regarding changes to our schooling system announced in the most recent budget, predominantly regarding the move for all secondary schools to achieve academy status, and want to set out my view on this.
My understanding is that State funded City Technology Colleges ... Read More