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May 1: A week in the life of Vicky Ford MP for Chelmsford

Vicky shares what she has been up to this past week with our readers

Nicola Lloyd

InYourArea Community, Nicola Lloyd

— 4 min read
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May 1: A week in the life of Vicky Ford MP for Chelmsford

CORONATION DAY: Vicky Ford MP outside Parliament during the Coronation procession (Image: Vickty Ford MP)

Written by Vicky Ford MP for Chelmsford

I was incredibly lucky and so honoured to have been picked in a ballot of MPs to be able to stand on the pavement outside Parliament during the Coronation procession. What an experience and one I will never forget.

Inspired by the Coronation bunting that I have seen fluttering in the breeze all around Chelmsford, I dressed in full red, white and blue and headed off very early in the morning. Despite the drizzle, the atmosphere was electric.

A highlight was a wave from His Majesty the King as they passed by on their way towards the Abbey and being nearly touching distance to the outstanding Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry. I can ride a horse and play the clarinet and it takes my breath away to see the band doing both these things at the same time.

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Parliament Square was lined by standard bearers from the Royal British Legion, two of whom were from Essex and one from the Chelmsford branch.

I would like to thank all the people of Chelmsford who took part in the service, the procession and the planning and especially the members of Essex Police who have been helping at Stansted Airport. They have been making sure that the leaders of other countries arrived and left safely.

The Bishop of Chelmsford played a key role in the service, carrying the chalice and presenting the communion wine to their majesties. I went to a special evensong in Chelmsford Cathedral on the eve of the Coronation where the bishop told the congregation about the history of the chalice which dates back to the 1660s.

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On Tuesday, I had the huge honour of meeting His Majesty when he came to Westminster for a reception with parliamentarians and staff. We spoke briefly about Sudan as I chair the All Party Group on Sudan.

It is a dire situation but members of the UK’s Sudanese community greatly appreciated a visit from King Charles and Queen Camilla. We also discussed the role our bishop was playing in the Coronation.

I know King Charles cares deeply about all communities and it was moving to see representatives of all faiths taking part in the Coronation.

ELECTION DAY: Vetri Pappa (L) and Vicky Ford MP (R) celebrate Vetri's election to serve on the Patching Hall ward of Chelmsford City Council (Image: Vicky Ford MP)

I have spent a lot of time this week chatting to people all across Chelmsford in advance of the local elections. Thank you to everyone who took the time to talk.

I was very proud that our candidates were so diverse - young and old, men and women, members of many different ethnic groups and different religions, LGBT candidates and neurodiversity. We had a very happy moment on election day when James Cleverly, Braintree MP and the Foreign Secretary, came to help three young women candidates standing for election.

Democracy is for everyone and it is important that women’s voices are heard. I would obviously have liked more of the candidates to be successful but I would particularly like to congratulate councillor Susan Sullivan and councillor Vetri Pappa on their results and thank Rob Gisby for all the work he has done for the people of Moulsham Lodge over the past two years.

Last week's column

As Chelmsford’s MP, I will continue to work for all the people of Chelmsford, focusing on delivering on local issues as well as improving things nationally. It is important to tackle economic priority issues such as halving inflation, reducing debt and getting our local economy growing.

It is also important to cut the NHS waiting lists, which are coming down across Chelmsford. A priority of the Prime Minister is also to stop the small boats, I know many people locally care about this issue too.

Infrastructure is important - during the week, I was sent a picture taken from an aeroplane flying over the new train station at Beaulieu Park. It is very impressive to see the work that is under way both on the station and connecting the bridge to the new relief road.

The Essex Chronicle covers areas including but not limited to Althorne, Bicknacre, Chelmsford, Great Baddow, Witham and Writtle in Essex.

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