Politics has been a rollercoaster ride over the last two weeks. I repeat the apology which I made on BBC 3 Counties Radio about recent events which have not been acceptable. I look forward to a return to trust and integrity in our politics as we debate how best to deal with the cost of living and the many other challenges we face, not least the utterly appalling and totally unjustified Russian invasion of Ukraine.
At the start of the month I have the enormous pleasure of going to the spectrum arts performance at Vandyke Upper School which showcased the amazing talent of learning disabled people. It was deeply humbling and emotional to watch and I would like to single out for special praise Jade Cook who put the event on, supported by her father who compered it. People with learning disabilities have so much to contribute.
Last week I had the enormous pleasure of going to Brooklands School, the only school in Central Bedfordshire Council who have been awarded the Eco-school green flag status with distinction. I had the great pleasure of meeting the year six committee who have done all the work collecting litter in the school and the local community, making sure even the headteacher turned the lights off in her office when she leaves it, and increasing biodiversity within the school grounds. They were an inspirational group of children that filled me with great hope for the future.
I also visited our local Jobcentre Plus and the inspirational work coaches who do such a brilliant job helping people find work. It was an extremely worthwhile meeting because I was able to connect the Job Centre with our local further education college, local employers and Central Bedfordshire Council to make sure there is the best possible joint working between all these organisations to get people into work. This is so important. I learnt recently in parts of Spain unemployment is much higher than in the UK and young people in particular are really struggling to find work.
On a less happy note I was incredibly distressed to learn of the disgustingly abusive vandalism directed personally at an outstanding Police Community Support Officer and a brilliant Police Constable. The Chief Constable should spread the record 1,411 police officers in Bedfordshire fairly across the whole county. In September when he leaves, I will be dealing with my seventh Chief Constable in 21 years. I will be pressing the new Chief Constable to restore the pattern of policing we had across the county before the disastrous decision to roster officers in Bedford and Luton, taken back in October 2012.