THIS past week, we have seen one of the most significant developments with l20ockdown release for some time. The new Health Secretary confirmed that we will not have to self-isolate if we are fully vaccinated and the Education Secretary has confirmed that ‘bubbles’ in schools will no longer be needed from 19th July. And what’s more, finally, we can sing in church again from 19th July too!

We have also had difficult and probing topics again this last week too concerning abortion, I’ve written here before about the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill and it returned to us in the House of Commons on Monday this week but this time an addition was tabled by Labour MP Dame Diana Johnson and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas.

The amendment would have removed all legal safeguards which we currently have in place to protect babies before birth and, in effect, would mean abortions could be done for any other reason, up until the point of birth. I found this amendment very worrying and many of us prepared to vote it down. It was a real concern and one that was not well covered in the media, but I was pleased that after debate, the amendment was withdrawn.

Also, this week I met with the British Transport Police. They are the police for our railways. I have been concerned that not enough is being done to stop the awful county lines drug gangs who use the railway to transport their drugs to market towns and particularly to Weymouth and Yeovil. This is a side of Dorset that many people do not see, but regretfully it is real, and it is harming people’s lives. I want to see it stopped, and I am staying in close contact with Dorset Police and the British Transport Police to ensure that this happens.

CHRIS LODER

WEST DORSET MP