'Reminder that the country wants change'

MP for Ellesmere Port

A MEMBER of my team well remembers the day when one of my constituents in her eighties visited my Ellesmere Port office to hand in a letter she had written intended for a Government minister.

Her letter set out in powerful terms the difficulties that she and a number of her friends encounter on a daily basis because they have little or no knowledge of computer technology.

Nowadays, what my Ellesmere Port resident was referring to is termed ‘digital exclusion’ and I was pleased with the support of Age UK Campaigns to lead a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament on this subject on February 28.

In short, I told my Parliamentary colleagues that a significant number of people risk losing their independence, control of their financial affairs, and in some cases, their health because companies, both public and private, now insist on doing everything online.

I told my colleagues: “It is abundantly clear that we are living in an increasingly digital world where technology has become essential to the way we socialise, work, shop, learn, manage finances and gain access to vital services.

“Digital skills, connectivity and equipment are all now essential to enabling an individual to fully participate in modern society. For the majority of the population, that has made life easier.

“…but for the minority who might lack the digital skills or confidence to gain access to those services, it can make the world more and more inaccessible”.

In response to concerns raised about digital exclusion, the Government says it has set up a cross-ministerial group which “will drive progress and accountability on digital inclusion priorities across Government”. Sadly the response from the Minister focused almost entirely on making it easier for people to do their business online which is fine but has its limits; the central point I was seeking to make was that for some people and for some situations, being online simply doesn’t work. I am pleased Cheshire West Council now operate a “call back” scheme to enable residents to have those conversations on issues.

In other news, we will have to accept that the George Galloway will serve as the MP for Rochdale until the next General Election, whenever it is called this year following the by election there where the Labour candidate lost his Party endorsement.Our attention on the Opposition benches will now turn to Blackpool South where it is likely a by-election will be held. It follows the decision of the House of Commons to back a 35-day suspension of Conservative MP Scott Benton who was caught by The Times newspaper in April 2023 transgressing the rules by offering to lobby ministers and table Parliamentary questions on behalf of gambling investors.

Mr Benton’s suspension is in excess of the 10-day threshold that triggers a recall petition and potentially a by-election. Recent experience (and there has been plenty) shows that where an MP receives a significant suspension like this that the voters in that constituency will move in sufficient numbers to demand a by election. For the Prime Minister it is likely to be another painful defeat and a reminder that the country wants change.