Outlining my Plans for the New Year, 01/25

For my first column of the new year, I want to dedicate it to what the year of 2025 has in store for Stourbridge, the UK, and the world at large.

This will be a busy year for Parliament! With a number of Bills making their way through the House of Commons, then the House of Lords and finally before King Charles III’s desk for the final sign off, you should start to feel the difference a Labour government can make in your day-to-day life.

The Renters Rights Bill has finished its progression through the Commons, ensuring that tenants will enjoy new rights against landlords who abuse their position. Striking a balance between the rights of landlords and the rights of tenants is a tough task – I honestly believe this Bill will do just that. Landlords who do not abuse their power over their tenant will be protected, however this Bill will give more power to tenants who are unfairly treated. No-fault evictions will be banned, tenants will have more time to search for a new residence if their landlord wishes to move in/sell the property, a new Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman will be available to help renters in case of unfair rent increases.

There is also the Employment Rights Bill, the Water (Special Measures) Bill, Tobacco & Vapes Bill, Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill, and the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill. These will give more rights to employees, stop chief executives of water companies claiming outrageous bonuses, restrict smoking in public locations such as hospitals, protect our children from exploitation and finally bring to an end the hereditary right to sit in the House of Lords and vote on our laws. 2025 will see these pass into law. The government will introduce many more Bills this parliament which reflect the priorities of the people of Stourbridge, and I will update you on them as they come along.

Next week I am going to Strasbourg as part of the UK Parliamentary Delegation to the Council of Europe. With President Trump back in office, and the concerns over NATO unity, European security, and the respect of human rights that this entails, it is an apt time for the UK to represent their commitment to the rule of law in this long-standing institution. I am truly honoured to be a part of it.

I wish to touch on something else as well – political rhetoric and discourse. It is no secret that people don’t like politicians. Cynicism in politics is at dangerous levels, politicians come in for a lot of criticism and that is to be expected. I knew this when I stood to be your MP and I accepted that this is part of the role. However, some of the rhetoric and abuse that my office receives is beyond the pale.

To be completely clear, this is not aimed at people who criticise the government or myself or dislike the policies of this government. This is aimed at those who make it personal and threaten or imply violence to get their wishes heard. There is no excuse for that, and going forward those who are threatening will not get a response, and in the most serious cases will be referred to the police.

On a cheerier note, I am holding an NHS Community Engagement event on Saturday February 8 at 11am to 12.30 at the Brierley Hill Health & Social Care Centre, open to all constituents to visit and chat to stallholders and myself. I hope to see as many people there as possible.

- Cat Eccles, January 2025

Published in the Stourbridge News