Starting May off with an election was a fantastic way to begin the month, and I was incredibly proud to see Reform UK secure a landslide victory across every seat in the Boston divisions for Lincolnshire County Council. On top of that, Andrea Jenkyns’ election as the first Greater Lincolnshire Mayor marked a historic moment for our region.
It’s clear that the residents of Boston and beyond believe in Reform UK, and we’re already working hard to deliver on that trust. Our newly elected councillors wasted no time getting stuck in. Sean Matthews, who now holds the Tattershall Castle seat, has been named Leader of the Council, while Michael Cheyne, representing Boston North, has taken on the role of Executive Member for Highways and Transport.
A key focus for us as a team has been finding ways to stop the proposed pylon developments and prevent the compulsory use of prime agricultural land for unnecessary solar farms. These are deeply unpopular with local residents, and we are determined to stand up for our countryside.
This month, I had the privilege of joining students from Boston High School for their VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations. It was a poignant and uplifting event, and a real reminder of the importance of honouring our history.
I was deeply horrified to witness the events that unfolded in Liverpool. What should have been a joyful and celebratory occasion turned into something truly distressing. I am incredibly grateful to the emergency services for their swift and professional response in treating all those injured. It is a great relief that no lives were lost. My thoughts are with the families and all 78 victims as they begin to recover from the trauma of that night.
Sadly, May also brought the heartbreaking news of Patrick O’Flynn’s passing. Patrick was not only a skilled political journalist and lobbyist, but someone who contributed enormously to political discourse through his many years in the Commons press gallery. He will be missed.
One of my ongoing priorities as MP for a rural constituency is improving digital infrastructure. Reliable broadband is no longer a luxury, it’s an essential part of everyday life, from education to business. I’m pleased that Openreach has now started work expanding full fibre broadband in Friskney. The first properties are expected to go live in July, with the wider rollout completed by the end of the year.
As we head into June and July, my thoughts are with the thousands of young people across our area who are currently sitting their GCSEs, A Levels, and AS Levels. Our local schools and Boston College continue to do a fantastic job preparing students for their futures.
I’m also pleased to see our new County Councillors already making themselves available to the public, with a “Meet Your Councillors” event being organised at The Quayside Hotel towards the end of June. It’s a great opportunity for residents to get to know their representatives and share their views face to face.
May was a month of change, action, and remembrance, and I look forward to continuing the hard work in the months ahead.
