“Hope Again”. That was the theme of the Prime Minister’s speech in Liverpool where I have spent the last few days.
Andy Burnham set out an honest and ambitious agenda for the country and communities like ours.
As someone who was born and grew up in Finchley and Golders Green, I care deeply about older residents – including my own parents and the teachers and neighbours who raised me.
We can measure the decency of a society by how we treat older people. That is I was pleased to hear the Prime Minister put a National Care Service at the heart of the Government’s agenda. In July, Andy Burnham joined me on a visit to a Jewish Care home in Golders Green to see the wonderful work they do. I saw first hand the empathy he showed towards the residents and care workers alike. Inspired by his late father, the Prime Minister has now committed to establish a National Care Service, free at the point of use. This will protect the NHS, whilst guaranteeing the state pension rises every year and ensuring older people are cared for with dignity in later life.
The Prime Minister also spoke frankly about our relationship with Europe, which I know many of you care deeply about. Brexit has done far more harm than good. We have felt this in our community. Young people tell me they have been denied opportunities to study. Local entrepreneurs and scientists have reported their work has been hampered by Brexit red tape. There is no doubt Brexit has damaged our economy and standing in the world. So I was pleased the Prime Minister will lay out a plan in the coming months for rebuilding Britain’s long-term relationship with our European partners.
Finally, I know Finchley residents have for years faced higher water bills without any improvement in service. Meanwhile local beauty spots – the East Finchley allotments, Dollis Brook and Clitterhouse Farm – have all suffered water pollution whilst the water company bosses pay themselves higher and higher bonuses. We should no longer reward such failure. The Prime Minister confirmed we will pass tougher laws and enable public control of our water.
As your MP I had a busy conference, speaking up on justice, the role of AI and technology in transforming public services, tackling antisemitism and building community cohesion. After a jam-packed week in Liverpool, I’m now glad to be back home in North London.
Moments of the Month:
- Hosting over 100 Finchley & Golders Green residents in Parliament to hear your hopes for the local area. I love welcoming people to our Parliament to ask questions – truly democracy in action!
- Speaking to brilliant students at Woodhouse College about the ban on social media for under-16s. We had a great debate about how we can best create a safer online environment.
- Getting my hands dirty and unveiling the chicken coop with the brilliant team at the Kid’s Gardening Club in Hampstead Garden Suburb!
- Speaking to the Union of Jewish Students’ leaders in Parliament! Many come from Finchley & Golders Green. They do brilliant work in challenging circumstances. Their ideas reminded me of my days involved in the Jewish Society at Cambridge. You can read my message ahead of Rosh Hashana in the Jewish Chronicle here!
Photo of the Month:
Reopening our refurbished Finchley Waitrose! I had a great tour round the shop, saw the giant storage freezers, and the goodie bags for first-day customers were top quality. It was great to see customers back at this fantastic local store, and the staff who do such brilliant work.
Finchley & Golders Green Trivia
In honour of the reopening of Finchley Waitrose – which of the following supermarkets does not yet have a branch in Finchley & Golders Green:
a) Aldi
b) Lidl
c) Marks & Spencer
d) Asda
e) Iceland
The answer will be revealed in next month’s newsletter. Send us your answers to sarah.sackman.mp@parliament.uk!
August’s Answers
Question 1: A singer born in North London near today’s Finchley & Golders Green constituency appeared on a Dolly Parton recording in the 1980s. Who was she?
Answer: Dusty Springfield!
Question 2: With The Odyssey in cinemas, long journeys are on the mind. How long would it take to walk from the northernmost to southernmost point in Finchley & Golders Green?
Answer: 2 hours and 7 minutes!
Question 3: Back to school time! How many schools in Finchley & Golders Green are going to get free breakfast clubs from the start of September?
Answer: Five! All Saints CofE, Claremont, Manorside, Tudor and Wessex Gardens primary schools.
Community Champion:
The dedicated volunteers who joined me on a litter-pick on North Finchley High Road. We’re dedicated to cleaning up our streets, and if you want to get involved in the North Finchley Improvement Group, you can join the WhatsApp group here!
With best wishes,
Sarah Sackman
Member of Parliament for Finchley and Golders Green