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My First Surgery

I know, I know, I’m not an MP yet. Nevertheless, I had my first surgery last week with a couple of potential constituents, S&H. These people thought that the Conservative MP would not listen well to their issues and act with sympathy, so they got in touch with me instead. As I said to them at the time, there is a limited amount I can do before actually getting elected, but still I felt it was a good opportunity to listen to local issues and I am wholly glad that I did.

First I would like to say that these constituents really impressed me with how they talked about issues. I will list the subjects we talked about below in the order that they were raised, but the important thing to note about this order is that the issues encountered by others came first despite the personal impact of the final matter being huge. To my mind this speaks volumes about their character and I am genuinely proud to be asked to help and saddened that there is little I can do at this time beyond making enquiries.

Mount Vernon Catering

Sign for Mount Vernon Hospital, discussed during my first surgery.

Mount Vernon Hospital Sign, courtesy of the Guardian

These constituents live not too far from Mount Vernon Hospital, an NHS hospital specialising in cancer treatments. As such, it is somewhere we hope never to visit as a patient, but one which we are undoubtedly all glad to have around. Neither of these constituents are patients at the hospital, but they do avail themselves of the restaurant from time to time. As part of this, they observed that the cost of food items in the restaurant was extremely high compared to the wholesale cost of the ingredients, with NHS staff still being charged a high price for basic foodstuff.

As this conversation continued, it became clear that they were worried about the impact of the cost of food combined with the long shifts that NHS workers have to endure at relatively low pay. The conclusion that we reached was that we should look after our NHS workers better than we do if we want to make sure that we have a functioning NHS for future generations.

We briefly extended this discussion to include the cost of parking for NHS staff, which I gather has now reached all-time highs following a brief holiday during the pandemic. At the end of our discussion, we agreed that there was relatively little to do at this time in terms of direct action, but that a petition to the government asking them to improve the lives of NHS workers would be appropriate.

I went away and started the following petition, and if you likewise believe that NHS staff should get free parking and low-cost meals, please sign your name to this request to the government.

Sign the petition.

A car park - we also talked about NHS car parking in my first surgery.

A car park. Not the one at Mount Vernon, but probably looks similar.

Food Wastage

A canteen - not the one talked about in my first surgery, but likely similar.

A canteen. Again, not Mount Vernon, but this image was freely available.

We discussed the cost of catering within the NHS, and specifically at Mount Vernon hospital, and the discussion naturally led on to the subject of food wastage. I gather from S&H that the restaurant throws away a large quantity of food at the end of each day, which ultimately goes to landfill. This is, to me, a travesty when there are active food banks in the constituency.

I have therefore made enquiries with the team at Mount Vernon asking whether they have considered the option of sending waste food for distribution within the constituency at the end of each working day.

Boris Johnson

As a brief aside in the middle of our discussion, we chatted about the ongoing case of Boris Johnson and the Committee for Privileges investigation into his alleged misleading statements made to the House while he was Prime Minister (amazingly that was two PMs ago despite resigning only earlier this year). I had invited Blaise Baquiche, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, to join the conversation. As Blaise is standing for election in Boris Johnson’s own constituency, it seemed like he had a lot to add to this discussion.

Actual picture of Boris Johnson.  NB:  not actually a picture, but instead a cartoon, and not particularly flattering at that.

Actual picture of Boris Johnson*

In short, Blaise mentioned that Partygate was a driving force behind his decision to stand as a candidate as he suffered a major personal loss – his father – during lockdown and was not able to offer personal comfort or host a significant funeral in the very week Johnson partied then lied about it. Eventually Johnson was given a Penalty Charge Notice for his breaches and therefore had to admit at least a partial level of wrongdoing.

Blaise mentioned and I agreed that the Privileges Committee investigation seemed to have stalled, so as a follow up I contacted the Committee and asked for an update on progress so far and an indication of when they would start to hear oral evidence. I will update the blog further when (if) I get a response.

Housing

In my first surgery we talked about the problems caused by black mould.

Black mould example from Freepik

Without question, this is where our discussion got very emotional, and I am so glad that S&H felt able to open up to me on this subject. In essence, their complaint was that rental accommodation does not seem to have minimum standards when it comes to damp or black mould, at least not standards that are actually enforced. Clearly there is also the risk that complaining enough to get action will lead instead to a retaliatory eviction, as no-fault evictions have not yet been banned.

S&H are living in their third rented accommodation of the year, and in the ones in the constituency they have found very significant infestations of black mould caused by significant damp. As black mould has been in the media lately as a contributing cause in the death of a child, this is clearly a concern, and it is clear from both a legal and an ethical perspective that landlords have a responsibility to ensure that such homes are free from invasive mould at the very least.

I have contacted the letting agent on behalf of the residents to find out what their policy is regarding maintenance, but unfortunately this is likely an area where they feel able to hide behind the law, as Conservative lawmakers have simply not done enough to protect the rights of renters.

Summary

My first surgery really reinforced the fact that I am doing the right thing. I want to help others as much as possible, and I genuinely feel that I cannot do enough in my current position. I believe that major changes are needed to the country as a whole, and that those changes should be made in such a way that local problems are lessened.

If you have issues that you would like to talk to me (or Blaise) about, please get in touch. Likewise if you would like to add to any of the issues highlighted above, whether as an offer of help or a suggestion that we didn’t consider, please also get in touch.

* Not actually a picture of Boris Johnson.
Hazeena A

Ian, thank you once again for your support. It means a lot.

Thank you so much for [creating this petition] and so amazingly quickly!!!

You did a brilliant job on both the blog and petition. Some of the NHS staff were even impressed with the speed at which you addressed this, and I have had varying positive comments from friends who have read your post.

Hazeena A – Ruislip, Northwood & Pinner Resident

Sheena Y

Having worked with Ian I can say that I found him incredibly transparent and honest which I think would be rare and much needed in today political arena. He is also very clever, direct and a great communicator.

Sheena Y, former co-worker

Andy H

Ian is a very smart individual, but more importantly is honest and truly cares about people.

He is an unselfish individual and would absolutely have the public’s best interests at heart.

Andy H, brother

Luca M

I met Ian a few months ago for the first time and straight away I felt confortable with him and I thought: ” Ok I would trust that guy”.

Luca M, fellow speakers’ club member

Francisco V

Throughout the 12 years I have known Ian, he has always demonstrated to be very bright, kind and upright. I’ve seen all of these attributes in his personal life, for instance, in our sport association he volunteered as treasurer where he improved the overall system and costs as well as championing charitable giving & generous donations. He’ll definitely make a difference in a bigger role in politics.

Francisco V, fellow jū jūtsu instructor and friend

Irene H

You have the moral integrity and high standards in all aspects of the requirements of your potential constituents. You will stand up to injustice and defend those deemed to have had injustice against them. You are committed to environmental change and to look after the less well off in society.

Irene H, mother

Graham C

First and foremost, your personal ethos of kindness and care for others is your top qualification. That you are also highly driven with a need to be productive, and understand very complex matters such as financial systems, makes you stand out.

Graham C, fellow jū jūtsu instructor and friend

Anonymous

You are one of the most principled people that I know. You are committed to making changes that support the most vulnerable in our society and you don’t give up when you know you’re fighting for what’s right.

Anonymous

Helen C

Integrity.
Unlike the rest of us who are disillusioned with the lack of honesty, morals, and the unfair and outdated ‘public schoolboy network’ displayed by this government, you have decided to stand up and make a difference.
Your constituents couldn’t have a better candidate.

Helen C, Aunt

Miles H

Having known Ian for a number of years during which we worked closely as Financial Advisers, I am confident that he would make an excellent MP. Ian is an intelligent man who has the ability to absorb, understand and manage complex information quickly; I have, on many occasions, witnessed him do this whilst retaining the ability to explain it, in a manner which is easy to understand.

I have seen Ian display the courage of his convictions on a professional level, where he has put the clients needs before that of the company and have no doubt he would carry this attitude into public life.

Ian and I have disagreed on politics in the past, but he has always listened carefully to any position and taken time to offer a thoughtful response. If he became an MP I am sure his constituents would benefit from an effective and hard working representative.

Miles H, former co-worker

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