Shailesh Vara MP today met with Sandra Currie, Chief Executive of Kidney Research UK, at the charity’s offices in Lynch Wood, Peterborough, to discuss current research and awareness campaigns commissioned by the charity.

Kidney Research UK is the largest charity in the country dedicated to preventing, treating and curing kidney disease. In the UK, over three million people are affected by kidney disease, and the charity uses public donations to fund research into both prevention and improved treatment methods, such as dialysis and transplantation. Kidney Research UK also spends twenty five per cent of donations received on public awareness campaigns.

Following the visit Mr Vara said:

“Kidney Research are doing fantastic work and it was a pleasure to meet Sandra and her team. So many people in the UK have kidney disease and Kidney Research play a vital role in helping the public appreciate the importance of healthy kidneys. Kidney Research’s work and research is impressive and I look forward to working with them in the future.”

Ms Currie added:

“Around one in every 15 adults in the UK have kidney disease. Despite this, and despite their incredibly important role in keeping our body functioning, the kidneys are often overlooked. Kidney Research UK is striving to put kidney health at the top of everyone’s agenda. We were delighted to host Mr Vara at our offices in Peterborough and show him how important our research is for kidney patients, and to share some of our breakthroughs. His support will help us to increase opportunities for all kidney patients to have their voices heard in Parliament.”

Photo: Suzanne Ostler, Shailesh Vara MP, Sandra Currie, Mae Smith and Alison Railton.

Shailesh Vara MP today attended the Eastern Powerhouse Reception at the Key Theatre on the Embankment in Peterborough.

Mr Vara was welcomed by the Chair of Eastern Powerhouse, James Palmer, and met several local business people at the event, from across the region.

The Eastern Powerhouse aims to promote the East of England by attracting and working with businesses across the eastern region. By doing so, the organisation seeks to build links, share businesses knowledge and help improve business prospects in Peterborough, both for individuals and companies.

There is a strong need locally for skills growth and retention. It is hoped that the new Anglia Ruskin University will help to address this issue by creating opportunities for people to learn new skills and bring new skilled jobs and businesses  to the East of England.

Following the visit Mr Vara said:

“This event was a great opportunity for businesses in our region to meet and discuss ideas of working together with a common goal and I congratulate Eastern Powerhouse for organising it.

“By bringing businesses together and sharing their knowledge and experience, we can help to benefit businesses and jobs and thereby help create a better and stronger regional economy.

“I am pleased to support Eastern Powerhouse in their ambition to help generate more business and investment opportunities in the East.”

Mr James Palmer added:

“Peterborough is an ambitious and forward-thinking city that has a crucial role to play in driving development across the UK. However, at present the city faces two key barriers to its success: the economic damage wrought by Covid 19 on the one hand, and lower than average skills attainment on the other. Recent initiatives like the regeneration of the city centre, improved connectivity in public transport, and the founding of a new Anglia Ruskin university campus, are a fighting start in addressing these issues. The Eastern Powerhouse applauds these efforts, and our hope is that by offering a platform where new solutions can be formulated and honed, our partnership could play a small yet vital role in helping Peterborough achieve its full potential”.

Photo: James Palmer, Shailesh Vara MP and James Sutcliffe, Chief Executive, Port-Evo  

Shailesh Vara speaks in the House of Commons to congratulate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on her Platinum Jubilee.

Shailesh Vara (North West Cambridgeshire) (Con)

It is a great privilege and honour to congratulate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on her platinum jubilee on behalf of my constituents of North West Cambridgeshire.

On a tour of Africa, the then 21-year-old Princess Elizabeth took a vow, which has been referred to by earlier speakers. Taking that vow, she said:

“I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be dedicated to your service”.

Her Majesty has truly kept that vow. With her matchless sense of duty, she has worked tirelessly and given the nation and the Commonwealth 70 years of dedicated service. Throughout that period, until very recently, she had the unwavering support by her side of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.

During Her Majesty’s reign, there have been 14 UK Prime Ministers, the first being Sir Winston Churchill. There have been 14 US Presidents, starting with Harry S. Truman, and Pope Pius XII was the first of seven popes. There have also been 10 Speakers, beginning with William Morrison, covering 19 Parliaments. In 1952, there were only eight Commonwealth countries, compared with the 54 that we now have.

It has been an extraordinary reign, during which our country and the world have witnessed enormous change. To put matters into perspective, I was born in Kakira in Uganda at a time when Uganda was still part of the British empire. My family arrived here in the ‘60s and now I, the son of an immigrant carpenter, proudly stand in this House paying tribute to Her Majesty on behalf of my constituents from North West Cambridgeshire.

Compared with 1952, there are now in the UK more opportunities for people to rise as far as their talent and ability will take them, and more opportunities for education, home ownership, better health, more leisure time and more prosperity generally. As has been mentioned by previous speakers, we are a much more diverse nation—diversity of race, diversity of faith and diversity of culture. Through it all, Her Majesty has provided continuity, a platinum thread through the decades, a voice for good whose advice has been sought by world leaders across the four corners of the world. Her Majesty has also played a crucial constitutional role. She has been the guarantor of the constitutional integrity of our nation, providing stability and constancy throughout the decades.

On a more local level, my constituency is relatively new, having been formed in 1997. It comprises the southern part of Peterborough and 100 or so villages, including many in the northern part of Huntingdonshire. Records show that, in 1978, Her Majesty visited the national Shire Horse Society centenary show at Alwalton. She opened the Peterborough Building Society’s head office at Lynch Wood in 1988, and in 1991 there were traffic hold-ups as 3,000 extra visitors tried to see the Queen at the East of England Show.

Moreover, in June 2012, Her Majesty was the guest of Lady Victoria and Mr Simon Leatham, marking the Queen’s diamond jubilee picnic at Burghley House, when some 7,000 people came along to enjoy music and aerial displays.

My constituency has changed in many ways in the past 70 years. A large part of it—the Peterborough part —was, until 1974, part of Northamptonshire. However, while much has changed during Her Majesty’s reign, some things are timeless. I am sure that, were T.S. Eliot alive today, he would agree that the village of Little Gidding, of “Four Quartets” fame, is the same now as it was in 1945 when he published his poem.

Something else that is timeless is the love and affection that my constituents feel for Her Majesty. Sir John Colville spoke for many when he said in his book “The Elizabethans”:

“In an age of melting convictions and questionable needs the Queen’s unassuming virtues and faultless example have stood out like a rock in a sea of troubles.”

My congratulations again, and I thank Her Majesty for a lifetime of service to our nation and the Commonwealth.

Hansard

Shailesh Vara MP today spoke in the House of Commons on behalf of his constituents in North West Cambridgeshire, to congratulate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on her Platinum Jubilee.

Mr Vara spoke of the huge changes that have taken place in the UK and across the world during the past 70 years, and how Her Majesty has been “The Platinum Thread” throughout this period.

He referred to Her Majesty’s reign covering, amongst other things, 14 UK Prime Ministers, starting with Sir Winston Churchill, 14 US Presidents, 7 Popes since Pius XII, and the expansion of the Commonwealth from 8 countries in 1952 to 54 countries now.

Mr Vara mentioned occasions when the Queen had visited parts of his constituency, including a visit in 2012 to Burghley House to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, along with 7,000 other visitors.

When speaking of the changes that have taken place in the last 7 decades, Mr Vara also mentioned being born in Uganda at a time when Uganda was still part of the British Empire and coming to the UK and proudly paying tribute to Her Majesty in the House of Commons on behalf of his constituents.

Shailesh Vara MP visited Allia Future Business Centre in Peterborough to hear about the support they offer to local entrepreneurs and businesses.

Mr Vara was welcomed by CEO Martin Clark, Director David Broach, Business Start Up Coach and Strategic Engagement Lead Iain Crighton, and the Centre’s Manager Omadelle Charles-Bailey.

Following a tour of the Centre, Mr Vara heard how Allia has been supporting local companies in Peterborough for over 6 years. Allia’s programmes seek to explore new opportunities and ways to increase the scope of business support, helping local businesses achieve their full potential.

Allia also ensures that businesses benefit from a team of experts and mentors, who offer practical advice and support whilst the companies themselves are encouraged to operate in a way which protects the environment and safeguards the planet for future generations.

Following the visit Mr Vara said:

“I was very pleased to visit the Centre and meet Martin and his team. Allia play a very important role locally and they are committed to helping local businesses to prosper and create more jobs, which is so important for the local economy. Allia have ambitious plans as we move forwards and I look forward to working with them to help ensure greater prosperity for our region.”

Mr Broach added:

“We were delighted to welcome Shailesh Vara MP to our Future Business Centre in Peterborough last week and for the chance to showcase the work we have been doing in Peterborough over the past 6 years. The team gave Shailesh a tour of the Future Business Centre, followed by a briefing on our work supporting small businesses in Peterborough to date, as well as details of our fantastic new programmes launching this month from the centre. Our programmes have delivered free support to over 400 Peterborough based entrepreneurs and businesses since we expanded to Peterborough in 2015, with a focus on helping them build resilience, grow and create employment for the local community. Our Impact Accelerator and Amplify programmes are due to start soon, and will support up to a further 30 businesses. We appreciate Shailesh’s recognition and support of our work in Peterborough, and welcomed the opportunity to discuss with him our future plans for expanding our work in the city.”

Photo: Shailesh Vara MP, Omadelle Charles-Bailey, Martin Clark, David Broach and Iain Crighton.

Shailesh Vara MP was pleased to open the new offices of care provider Home Instead in Hampton, Peterborough.

During the visit, Mr Vara met Company Directors, Philip & Amy Kennedy and as well as touring the new offices, he met several of the staff.

Home Instead is a care provider with offices in Peterborough, Oundle and The Deepings and employs a dedicated team of over seventy caregivers. The team delivers various home care services, including companionship, home help, housing-keeping and personal care. The company has expanded considerably in recent years and strives to offer older people high quality care in their own homes, enabling them to stay within their community and near their families.

Following the visit Mr Vara said:

“I was very pleased to see Philip and Amy again and open their new offices. I was privileged to open their previous Peterborough office and it is lovely to see how the company has grown over the years, providing a vital service to the locally community.

“It is important that older people in the community have the choice of staying in their own homes and receiving the care and support they need, which Home Instead provides.”

Mr Kennedy added:

“We were delighted that Mr Vara could take the time out of his busy schedule to come and officially open our new office space. The last 2 years plus has been an extremely challenging period for everybody, so it’s lovely to be able to take some time out to show Mr Vara our new premises and hopefully mark the start of a new period of calm for both our care professionals and clients. Having a larger office ‘hub’ to work from will hopefully allow us to increase the size of our team and allow us to serve the growing demand for home care in the Peterborough area”.

Photo: Philip & Amy Kennedy holding the ribbon as Shailesh Vara MP cuts it along with other members of staff.