IN SOME great news last week, we heard that the Peace Festival is returning to Leamington in Summer 2025 after a five-year break.
It’s a fantastic event and I’ve attended nearly every year since I first moved here over 20 years ago so I was pleased to be able to offer my support ahead of the meeting last week. I know so many will join me in looking forward to its return next year and congratulating all those involved for a great effort in bringing it back to Leamington.
We are now firmly in 2024, a year which is set to be dominated by elections, both locally, nationally and internationally. In a record high, over two billion people across 50 countries could head to the polls in 2024.
In less than 90 days, we will have the Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner election locally. As many of you may remember from the local elections in May 2023, you now must show voter ID at the polls to cast your ballot. This is a measure introduced by the Government despite only four convictions for voter fraud in 2019.
It is so important that we all can exercise our right to vote so please do take five minutes to check you’re registered to vote and confirm you have an eligible form of ID. It takes as long as making a cup of tea and ensures you can make the important choice of who represents you.
A good local representative can make a huge difference to a community, picking up residents’ concerns and fighting for a solution to make your area a better place. It is worth the 5 minutes of checking!
Finally, I am excited to share that I am bringing back my MP awards for the 4th year. It is always a great opportunity to highlight the fantastic work done by so many people in our local area, from organising aid to be sent to Ukraine to litter picking our streets and parks, it all plays a part in making our towns and villages what they are.
As always, I want to hear from local residents about who they would like to see recognised. Please do drop me an email at [email protected] explaining in less than 60 words why you want to make your nomination. There are three categories: individual, community group and business/teams.
The deadline for nominations is Friday March 15. I’m looking forward to reading about all the brilliant work being done across our local area. I know there is no shortage of incredible people, organisations and businesses doing vital work across our towns and villages.
As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any issues or concerns you would like to raise with me. I can be reached on [email protected] or on 01926 882006.
