Greg Hands MP has hosted the first of a new style of constituency engagement event in Chelsea & Fulham.
On Tuesday, 22 September, Member of Parliament for Chelsea & Fulham and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Greg Hands, hosted a “Meet Your MP” event at the Waterside, Imperial Wharf. In an effort to engage a broader part of his constituency, including those who perhaps might not be able to attend his regular Friday afternoon constituency surgeries, Greg decided to hold a new kind of event.
Greg Hands hosted the event at Imperial Wharf in Fulham, close to the border with Chelsea. Greg was pleased to welcome the three Conservative Sands End ward local councillors, Jane Law, Rob Largan, and Steve Hamilton, who were able to provide extra detail both on issues pertinent to the neighbourhood, as well as on Council matters.
After a good number of constituents had arrived, Greg addressed his audience, reminding them about his background as a local Fulham councillor from 1998 to 2006, and as Member of Parliament for Hammersmith & Fulham from 2005 to 2010, and then Chelsea & Fulham since 2010. Greg also emphasised the importance for him of keeping abreast of constituency matters in spite of his many commitments at HM Treasury.
After this, Greg held a question-and-answer session, and he was interested to hear some constituents voice concerns different from those he most frequently hears at his constituency surgery or via correspondence. The issues discussed ranged from disturbance from helicopters to the proposed Diamond Jubilee footbridge between Imperial Wharf and what will be known as Lombard Wharf in Battersea. Wider constituency matters less surprisingly included the proposed redevelopment of Chelsea Football Club’s Stamford Bridge stadium and the proposals for a Crossrail 2 station in the constituency.
Speaking after the event, Greg Hands said: “I would like to thank all those who turned up on Tuesday evening – many after a busy day at work – to help make this inaugural event a success, and I would also like to thank the Waterside for hosting us.”
“It was good to hear the opinions of a broader group from my constituency of Chelsea & Fulham, and I look forward to working with the local Sands End ward councillors to provide answers to the issues raised.”
Greg Hands looks forward to hosting another “Meet Your MP” event at the earliest opportunity.