MPs must attend for Bill voting

The Sustainable Communities Bill, a Private Members Bill adopted by Nick Hurd, MP was formally presented to Parliament, on December 13. This Bill seeks to put in place measures that will support rural communities. At a time when service provision in rural areas seems under threat, it is a very welcome initiative.

On Friday, January 19, the Bill will get its second reading. It is absolutely imperative that as many MPs as possible are in the House of Commons on that Friday afternoon. If too few MPs are present to vote on the Bill, it will fall.

It is the custom of many MPs not to be present at the House on Friday afternoons. However as the fate of this Bill is so important in rural constituencies, I ask that everyone contacts their local MP to ask them to be in the House on this particular occasion. My MP, Philip Dunne, has already expressed support in principle for this bill. I have written to ask him to be in the House for the vote. Similar requests from other electors will make him, and other local MPs, realise how seriously this issue is taken.

Heather Williams, Bishops Castle