How I spent my recess week in West Lancashire

12th April, 2024

Ashley at J. Cropper & Sons farm with local farmers Robin and Lisa.

This week, Parliament was in recess. That meant I got to spend the whole week in West Lancashire.

On Monday, I met with the management at Skelmersdale Delivery Office to learn how they were trying to improve local postal service. I liked what I saw and am confident that the post in Skem and Upholland is firmly on the mend. Please see my full statement below.

Ashley's statement following a visit to Skelmersdale Delivery Office.

On Wednesday afternoon, I met with a group of constituents who are suffering with long COVID. I was very sorry to hear not only of the physical pain they’re having to endure, but also their difficulty in accessing care and treatment for their condition. As of this month, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) have responsibility for treating post-COVID conditions and so I will be in touch with Lancashire & South Cumbria ICB to ask for a detailed run-down of how they plan to provide this service.

On Thursday, I had the pleasure of being visited by members of 1st Ormskirk Guides who are completing their Campaign badge. They asked me a bunch of really interesting questions about the issues that mean the most to them, including animal welfare, teenage mental health, and world peace. I’m always very pleased to see young people in West Lancashire who are interested in politics and want to change things. Thanks to the girls for coming over and for group leader Lorraine for organising.

Today, I was the guest of Robin Cropper over at Moss End Farm. Robin runs the excellent J. Cropper & Sons farm in Aughton, growing potatoes (he treated us to some excellent chips). I spoke to Robin, along with fellow NFU member Lisa Edwards and NFU representative Liz Houghton, about the challenges facing growers in West Lancashire. We agreed that West Lancs need a Water Management Board and that British agriculture needs the Government to produce a long-term strategy for food security. A Labour government would do this. Thank you to Robin for having us.

Overall, I had a great recess week. At the week’s end, I just feel proud to be the MP for such a wonderful constituency. I will continue to work hard on its behalf.