MP COLUMN: Jonathan Reynolds, MP for Stalybridge and Hyde

Last week was another week of local, national and international activity. 

First off, the Budget was of course the talk of the week nationally. It was an historic occasion as my colleague the Right Honourable Rachel Reeves became the first woman to present the Budget, and did so with typical confidence, facing Britain’s economic challenges head on. Budgets always bring winners and losers, but this was a Budget to fix the foundations and deliver the long-term change Britain needs. 

It was also a buzz to hear the Chancellor mention Stalybridge as the world watched on, in the context of delivering immediate investment into the TransPennine Express railway line. This Government will not forget the imperative of improving Northern infrastructure. 

After the Budget, I visited Doha, Qatar for the Gulf Cooperation Council Trade Ministers meeting. I also visited the United Arab Emirates, specifically the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khiamah. I was there because I am negotiating a trade deal with the GCC, that could bring substantial benefits to the UK. British people and companies are already a major presence in the Gulf, and this deal would build and extend that. 

In the UAE I visited a number of key ministers and business leaders, including Khaldoon Al Mubarak, best known locally as the Chairman of Manchester City. 

Returning from the Gulf it was wonderful to emerge myself back in a highlight of Tameside community, the local Divali celebration. Held at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Manchester in Ashton on Saturday, this Hindu festival of light is always special to be invited to. Thank you to BAPS and particularly to all the local volunteers who make this great event happen. I hope that everyone celebrating had a Happy Divali. 

It’s hard to believe it is only a couple of weeks until we kick off Christmas with the Tameside Lantern Parade, this year in Hyde Market Square.  

Back in Parliament, it was it was lovely to catch up with His Grace Archbishop of Canterbury and Her Grace the Bishop of Newcastle. We enjoying a wide ranging conversation about the economy, climate change, protecting vulnerable workers, getting people back into work, and education and skills. 

The rest of my week rightly centres around Remembrance. You can find a full list of parades and services happening across Tameside on the council website, and I hope you’ll be able to join one. In the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.