Dr Neil Hudson MP has welcomed the new agenda from the Conservative Government as set out in the King’s Speech and the benefits it will bring to people across the country.
Dr Hudson has been working hard guiding the Government’s legislative agenda from helping lead the Parliamentary campaign to clamp down on youth vaping and ban live animal exports to meeting Ministers to discuss rental reform and bringing his constituents’ energy security concerns to the heart of Government.
Legislation will focus on four key areas. First, growing the economy by introducing Bills that protect our energy security, and ensure we have the right framework for tech firms to compete and grow in the UK.
Second, strengthening society by protecting the health of young people, supporting private renters and landlords, and eradicating antisemitism everywhere. This includes the Holocaust Memorial Bill, to build a national Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in central London.
Third, keeping people safe by making sure the police have the powers they need, criminals get the punishment they deserve, and society is protected from terrorism. This includes the Sentencing Bill and the Criminal Justice Bill, giving the police more powers to keep us safe.
Fourth, promoting our national interests by backing our Armed Forces, supporting Ukraine and leading the way on the challenges of the future: climate change and AI.
In each of these areas the Conservative Government is taking the right long-term action to deliver change and a brighter future for everyone in the United Kingdom.
Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
“This King’s Speech proved the Prime Minister will continue to break the old model of doing politics and deliver the long-term decisions needed for a brighter future.
"Having campaigned hard for a number of issues to be addressed - including bolstering energy security, clamping down on youth vaping and banning live animal exports - I'm incredibly pleased the Prime Minister has listened to me and my Conservative colleagues to improve people's lives for the better.
"To be at the entrance to the House of Lords while the King delivered his first King’s Speech was an absolute privilege and I pay tribute to a man who has given so much to serve us and our great nation and continues the great legacy of his mother, our late Queen."
Dr Neil Hudson’s key areas of contribution:
The new Tobacco and Vapes Bill
The new Tobacco and Vapes Bill will ban the sale of tobacco products in England for children born on or after 1 January 2009 and reduce the appeal, availability and affordability of vapes for children and young people, while ensuring that they remain an effective tool for helping adult tobacco smokers to quit.
Dr Hudson has been a leading voice to crack down on youth vaping in Parliament - tabling parliamentary questions, writing op-eds in national publications, meeting advertising authorities, and leading a bespoke debate in the Commons.
Dr Hudson said:
“I’ve worked incredibly hard to crack down on youth vaping which I feel is one of the biggest problems facing younger generations. Tackling this issue, we can boost the mental and physical health of our children, boost educational attainment and prevent them from developing lifelong addictions.
“There is no safe age to smoke, and I know no fellow parent ever wants their child to start smoking. It is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the UK, unduly burdening the NHS and the British taxpayer.
“I thank Government for listening to me and safeguarding generations against the harms of tobacco.”
Boosting energy security
The Energy Sovereignty Bill (Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill) will make the UK more energy independent by legislating for regular, annual oil and gas licensing – with emissions tests to ensure that future oil and gas licensing supports our transition to net zero.
With one of the highest proportion of constituents off the gas grid, Dr Hudson is passionate that those he represents are not disproportionately carrying the financial burden of reaching Net Zero.
Dr Hudson said:
“It is right that we reach net zero in a way that support jobs, boosts our energy security and does not add undue costs to hardworking families in rural areas.”
Banning Live Exports
The Conservative Government’s decision to bring forward the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill delivers on a manifesto commitment to end live exports of animals for slaughter and fattening, boosting animal welfare standards.
As the only veterinary MP, Dr Hudson takes animal welfare extremely seriously and secured confirmation of this Bill at PMQs in September. On top of this Dr Hudson has recently supported Government in its ban of American XL Bully dog, led a parliamentary inquiry into Pet Welfare and Abuse, and with colleagues published a report into conserving marine mammals.
Dr Hudson said:
“As a nation of animal lovers, the British people overwhelmingly support long-term decisions to improve animal welfare standards. That is why, having lobbied for it, Government is permanently banning the live export of animals for slaughter or fattening.
“This further cements our status as a global beacon of best practice for animal health and welfare.”
Dr Hudson also welcomed a range of newly announced measures including the Renters’ (Reform) Bill, delivering a fairer rental market for both landlords and tenants; the Football Governance Bill, Safeguarding local football clubs for their fans and communities; and the Holocaust Memorial Bill enable us to build a national Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in central London at a time when anti-Semitic incidents are on the rise.
