It is hard to believe that we are only into the second half of May following the first few weeks of this month. Here in Stoke-on-Trent, we have all had a busy few weeks with local elections, the Coronation, Eurovision, and more.
I would like to start by personally thanking all those who supported the Conservative Party in the local elections. It is no secret that the results nationally were not the ones hoped for by the Conservative Party. Whilst we did not retain control of the City Council, the local Conservative team here in Stoke-on-Trent managed a positive campaign and efforts by our supporters saw us exceed expectations.
Across the City, the Conservative Party increased its share of the vote from 34.8 per cent, in 2019, to 38.7 per cent, winning 6,000 more votes and such results could not have been achieved without the hard work of our Conservative Councillors on Stoke-on-Trent City Council. I would like to thank Cllr Abi Brown, whose leadership of the City Council has seen vital improvements in the services provided to our most vulnerable children, restored and celebrated our proud heritage, and helped secure tens of millions of pounds in investment, both public and private, for our city.
The local team have been tireless advocates for Stoke-on-Trent and an essential partner in demonstrating that our city has the ambition and wisdom to use levelling-up money to the greatest effect. I sincerely hope that it will be possible for us to continue this progress with the new incoming administration, but whatever direction the council now takes I will continue to do everything I can to ensure Stoke-on-Trent gets the investment and attention we deserve.
On a Royal note, my family and I had a wonderful time celebrating the Coronation of Their Majesties, King Charles III, and Queen Camilla. The first Coronation our Kingdom has seen in 70 years and what an incredible spectacle it was for the world, with all eyes focused on the UK. Going around the city, it was great to see so many flags and bunting flying in support of the Coronation. We here in Stoke-on-Trent led the way in displaying our pride in being British.
Stoke-on-Trent played another huge role in the King's Coronation. Our city has been producing ceramic memorabilia to celebrate to occasion. 12 factories from across the city have produced our finest ceramics for the Royal Collection. Numerous factories have also been producing their own wares to be sold to mark the Coronation. This is a proud moment for both the United Kingdom and Stoke-on-Trent!
I hope that you aren’t too partied out after another weekend of fun and excitement. I want to personally give my congratulations for all the fantastic contributions. Residents have been telling me for the past week about their plans for Eurovision parties and I am sure Liverpool will have had some competition in celebrating the event.
On a final note, I want to provide an update on my ongoing fight against monkey dust which has ripped apart so many lives in our city. You will know that I have and continue to campaign fiercely to have the horrific drug, monkey dust, reclassified as a Class A drug in efforts to crack down on its use.
It is fantastic that last week the government’s Minister for Crime, Policing, and Fire, personally informed me of the Home Office’s intention for the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to conduct a harms assessment, in a move towards recommending that monkey dust be reclassified to a Class A drug.
I know that residents in Stoke-on-Trent will be very pleased to hear the Government’s announcement and I have offered to assist the Home Office throughout their assessment. If Monkey Dust is reclassified, dealers could receive life in prison, meaning that those supplying and producing monkey dust can receive the harshest of sentences. This will be a huge step forward in our efforts to drive this horrendous drug off our streets.
Four people have recently been arrested by Staffordshire Police after eight kilos of monkey dust was discovered in packages headed to Stoke-on-Trent. These arrests and seizure of the drugs are part of the police’s ongoing commitment to tackle the sale and use of monkey dust. I fully support the efforts being made by the police and will continue to work closely with them. I would like to give my personal thanks to Staffordshire Police and all those services at the front line in dealing with the consequences of this horrific drug.
You can still sign my petition to have monkey dust reclassified as a Class A drug here:
https://www.jackbrereton.co.uk/campaigns/reclassify-monkey-dust-class-drug
First published in the Stoke Sentinel 16/05/23.
