September 2023: Ditchley, DWP & Debunking the NHS

My birthday month started with a cerebral bang, at the Centre for Policy Studies' panel discussion on 'The Long Term Outlook for the UK's Finances'. CPS Director Robert Colville, Richard Hughes of the OBR and Szu Ping Chan of The Telegraph, shared their insights on the debt challenges posed by climate change, the importance of fiscal policy in macroeconomic stabilisation and the fiscal impact of an ageing population.

The next day, I dashed off to Ditchley Park in Oxfordshire, for the second retreat of the Coalition for Global Prosperity's Future Leaders programme for cross party prospective parliamentary candidates. I was particularly excited to attend as a huge fan of Queen Elizabeth I and the famous Ditchley portrait, and the trip did not disappoint.

In addition to the stunning surroundings, the retreat offered another exceptional offering of roundtables with the likes of Baroness Davidson and Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert of the Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine.

On my return to London, I was delighted to catch up with Education Minister Gillian Keegan at the Conservatives in Comms event with Women 2 Win, before lending my support to Festus and the Mid Bedfordshire Conservatives ahead of the by-election.

The following week led to more highlights, one being David Selves' panel talk on the NHS; a chance to hear from impartial insiders on the changes we can make to the NHS. The most notable consensus seemed to be a focus on primary care and the return of the family doctor. Not only would it lead to foresight and prevention of future ailments, but as has often been said, the cost to the taxpayer of a GP appointments, is a fraction (£42) of an A&E appointment (£418).

Another highlight was getting the opportunity to shadow DWP Minister Mims Davies. The Mid Sussex MP was incredibly generous with her time and allowed me to tag along with her to the hugely inspiring Care Leavers Summit. As a strong proponent of helping more people into work, it was a true treat to spend the day in the department.

Over the weekend, I was delighted to launch the campaign of Conservative GLA candidate for Lambeth & Southwark, Christine Wallace, in Clapham.

Before long, I was back in Mid Bedfordshire helping out in the run-up to the by-election and was delighted to catch up with former Home Secretary Priti Patel and meet Health Secretary Steve Barclay.

I was delighted to be re-elected Vice Chairman of the Kensington, Bayswater, Chelsea & Fulham Conservative Association at the AGM and to attend my first sheep drive in the City.

I rounded off the month with a superb breakfast at the East India club thanks to education experts Finito and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly; and as ever, managed to squeeze in a campaigning session in Brompton & Hans Town with our superb Kensington & Chelsea activists.