Following the Prime Minister’s statement to the House of Commons on the G20 summit in Indonesia, Shailesh Vara questions the PM about his conversations with President Biden of the US and his counterparts in the EU, on the UK’s commitment to the Good Friday agreement and the UK’s economic integrity as an independent and sovereign nation.

Shailesh Vara (North West Cambridgeshire) (Con)

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that in his conversations with President Biden of the US and his counterparts in the EU, he has made the UK’s intention to preserve the integrity of the Good Friday agreement absolutely clear? Will he also confirm that, in so doing, it is not unreasonable for the UK, an independent and sovereign nation, to be able to maintain its own economic integrity?

The Prime Minister (Rishi Sunak)

I can give my right hon. Friend that assurance. Of course the territorial integrity of the United Kingdom is important and must be preserved and that is under some stress, as we have seen in Northern Ireland, as he knows well from his previous role. He has my commitment to the Good Friday agreement, which was something I discussed not only with our European counterparts but also the President. We remain committed to delivering all strands of that agreement, and that is what I will work tirelessly to do.

Hansard

Local residents from the Hindu community were recently able to celebrate Diwali in the magnificent setting of the Speaker’s State Rooms in Parliament.

In a cross-party reception co-hosted by Shailesh Vara MP, the residents from Peterborough were able to celebrate one of the Hindu community’s most important occasions.

Diwali, celebrated across the world and also known as the ‘Festival of Lights’, marks the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness.

The event was attended by the President of the Peterborough Bharat Hindu Samaj, Mr Kishor Ladwa, along with fellow committee members, Dr Subhash Kandikatt, Mrs Rajni Reddy and Mr Vishal Vichare.

Following the event, Mr Vara said:

“I was very pleased that some of my constituents were able to come to Parliament to celebrate this very important occasion.

“Diwali is celebrated across the globe and its message of peace and understanding is one that we can all appreciate.

“To all who are celebrating, I wish them a very happy Diwali.”

Mr Ladwa commented:

“Diwali is a very special occasion for all Hindus. We celebrate it with family and friends, and in Peterborough on a special Saturday in Cathedral Square. This year it was especially good to also celebrate it in Parliament.

“Thank you to Mr Vara for inviting us.”

Photo: Kishor Ladwa, Vishal Vichare, Shailesh Vara MP, Rajni Reddy, and Dr Subhash Kandikatt.

Shailesh Vara MP recently visited the site of the new Hilton Garden Inn, Fletton Quays, Peterborough, which is due to open in Spring 2023.

Mr Vara was shown around the site by Mr Richard Martin, Director of Propiteer Hotels Ltd, who are working in partnership with Hilton Hotels. They were joined by Mr Sherif Gad, General Manager, and Mr Daniel Palacios, Director of Sales, both from Hilton Garden Inn.

Mr Vara visited a number of floors, including the areas designated for a new roof-top Sky Bar and terrace, which has panoramic views of Peterborough Cathedral and the wider city centre.

The new hotel will feature 160 bedrooms, five function rooms and a fitness centre, as well as a ground-floor restaurant and bar overlooking the River Nene.

Following the visit Mr Vara said:

“I was very pleased to meet Richard and his team who are working on the new Hilton Garden Inn project, which will be located in such a prominent location in the centre of Peterborough. Once complete, the hotel will be one of the finest in the city and I am sure it will contribute to the overall attractiveness of Peterborough to visitors and businesses alike.

“I look forward to visiting the site again when the construction works are completed.”

Mr Martin commented:

“It was good to have Shailesh visiting us to view the site and building works for the new Hilton Garden Inn. This is a major project for Peterborough and I was very encouraged by Shailesh’s support.

“I look forward to working with him and other local stakeholders as we progress to completion.”

Photo: Shailesh Vara MP, Sherif Gad, Daniel Palacios and Richard Martin.

Shailesh Vara MP recently visited Ramsey based Superior Surfaces Ltd to see first-hand how the business is run and to discuss some of the challenges it currently faces.

The company was set up in 2009 by managing director Mr Sean Dennis and specialises in manufacturing surfaces for dental practices, commercial spaces as well as for kitchens and bathrooms. The company oversees projects from design to installation for both commercial and residential clients, and also manufactures climbing walls for the leisure industry.

During the visit, Mr Vara also met with Mr Dennis’s business colleague Mr Richard Reynolds, along with some of the company’s staff.

Following the visit, Mr Vara said:

“I was very pleased to visit Superior Surfaces and meet with Mr Dennis and Mr Reynolds along with their team, and to see the various manufacturing techniques used by the company to create their surfaces.

“I was keen to hear about the different types of projects the company is currently undertaking as it seeks to expand, and to discuss the challenges the business is currently encountering.

“Superior Surfaces is growing from strength to strength and it is very encouraging to see that it continues to invest in our economy and provide excellent local jobs.”

Mr Dennis commented:

“We very much welcomed the recent visit to our business premises from Mr Vara.

“It was comforting to know that he was empathic with the challenges we currently face and supportive in the quest for governmental support.”

Shailesh Vara MP visited Elton C of E Primary School to meet Head Teacher Mrs Claire Arnold along with some of her staff.

The Year 6 Children, of Mr Andy Shaw’s Edith Cavell class, had the opportunity to question Mr Vara about politics, his career and what he does in his spare time. Earlier this week the Year 6 class visited the Houses of Parliament. Following this visit the Year 6 class were very excited to meet their Member of Parliament in school.

Mr Vara told the children about his job as an MP and his own personal journey. He explained that it is his duty to represent the views of the people of North West Cambridgeshire in Parliament and he listens to local residents on subjects such as local services, shops, transport and schools.  

Following the visit Mr Vara said:

“One of the joys of my job is the opportunity to visit schools and meet with young people.

“I was very impressed with the pupils at the school who were full of enthusiasm and asked some interesting and difficult questions.”

Mrs Arnold commented:

“We were very pleased to welcome Mr Vara to Elton C of E Primary School where the Year 6 students had the opportunity to discuss how parliament works and what life in the government is like.”