Labour MP for Southport joins new Labour group in parliament standing up for coastal communities

THE MP for Southport has joined a new group of Labour MPs representing coastal seats who are pushing the Government to take strong action to support coastal communities. Mr Hurley stated that he has joined the group to ensure that the voices of coastal communities, such as Southport, are heard clearly in Government discussions. The group is being chaired by Polly Billington MP, one of a large number of new Labour MPs that took coastal seats off the Conservatives at the 2024 general election. Labour now has 66 MPs representing coastal parts of the country, including many in the Northwest, meaning the group will have a strong voice in parliament when it comes to championing coastal Towns.

After fourteen years under the Conservatives many coastal areas suffer from above average levels of deprivation and poorer health and educational attainment. The group say struggling economies and the terrible state of public services in these areas was the biggest reasons voters turned away from the Conservatives at the 2024 general election, and that the new Government needed to prove it could turn that situation around.

Patrick Hurley's Contributions to Southport...

Since his election as MP for Southport, Patrick Hurley has been a strong advocate for investment in the town. His initiatives include:-

• Preserving Coastal Heritage: Leading efforts to advocate for the common ownership of historic piers to protect and revitalise key landmarks while integrating them into modern economic strategies.
  

• Protecting Local Jobs: Launching a petition against the closure of Smedley Hydro, one of Southport's largest employers, and urging the Government to reconsider its decision.
  

• Serving in the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Coastal Communities: Working on improving health, well being, education, infrastructure, environmental policies, and economic development in seaside areas.
  

• Boosting Tourism and Business Investment: Seeking out opportunities so that Southport attracts new opportunities and thrives economically.
  

• Campaigning for Better Transport Links: Advocating for the reinstatement of the Burscough Curves project, which aims to enhance rail connections between Southport, Ormskirk, and surrounding areas by reopening junctions closed since the 1960s.
  

• Campaigning for an integrated Children's and Adults' A&E in Southport: Arguing that residents should have access to local emergency care rather than traveling to other Towns for treatment.
  

• Addressing Antisocial Behaviour: Collaborating with police and local authorities to tackle antisocial behaviour.
  

• Promoting Community Initiatives: Leading efforts to establish a co-operative bookshop in Southport after the closure of a long standing independent bookstore, creating a community space that supports local culture and the economy.

Through these initiatives, Patrick Hurley MP demonstrates his commitment to improving the quality of life in Southport. By focusing on:- infrastructure, healthcare, local businesses, and community driven projects, he aims to address residents' key concerns while ensuring the town has the necessary resources and opportunities to thrive. As part of the new Coastal Labour group, he will continue advocating for Southport's interests at the highest levels of Government.

Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport, said:- "Coastal Towns have experienced significant economic decline over the years. If we look back to the late 80s and early 90s, our major cities underwent massive transformations, breathing new life into these urban areas. Now, it is the challenge for this Government to focus on revitalising our seaside Towns. With the right investment and planning, we can create new opportunities, boost local economies, and ensure that Southport and Towns like it, have its best days ahead of it."

The group also say the key to this is ensuring the Government deliver on the commitments they have made to end the crisis in the NHS, fix public transport, tackle crime and antisocial behaviour, and deliver more money in people's pockets.

The MPs have also expressed concern about the impact on coastal areas of plans that have been suggested by the Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, such as making people pay for health insurance to access the NHS.

The new group is holding regular meetings with Government ministers to raise issues of high concern to voters in their communities. In particular, the Coastal Labour group are united in pushing hard for investment that will deliver well-managed public services
and a stronger economy in the coastal Towns they represent.

Chair of the Labour Coastal Group, Polly Billington MP said:- "Voters in seats like mine rejected the Conservatives last year because Labour promised renewal, after fourteen years of Tory indifference to the unique challenges facing coastal Towns. Now that we're in Government we've got to prove to people that we can deliver on key issues like the NHS, tackling crime, and building a stronger economy. That is why I am pleased to be chairing this new coastal grouping of Labour MPs, who will make sure that the voices of coastal areas across the country have their voices heard in Government."

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