May 2026 Update
I am pleased to bring you my May 2026 Update. As ever, if you would like to sign up to my mailing list, you can do so on this page or by emailing [email protected].
Dear constituent,
Following hard-fought campaigns, I am delighted that Hillingdon and Harrow councils will remain under Conservative leadership, both with increased majorities. I extend a huge congratulations to newly and re-elected councillors, who I know will continue to work hard for residents across Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner.
Of course, a lot has happened in Westminster since the local elections; the start of a new parliamentary session was marred by the latest instalment of Labour's political psychodrama. A series of resignations have left the Prime Minister's position untenable and a leadership challenge a near certainty. This has repercussions for residents - for example, we have a new Health Secretary on borrowed time, which makes it incredibly difficult to make any real progress on local health matters that require support.
Closer to home, I have been busy in the constituency, making visits to the new Pinn River School, Nationwide in Pinner and Mount Vernon Hospital, all of which you can read about below.
I endeavour to keep residents updated with my monthly newsletters, but those who would like to see what is going on in between, I encourage you to visit my website or Facebook page.
In the Constituency
Surgeries
This month has been bookended by the prorogation of Parliament and the May recess, but my office has continued to provide assistance to those who need it. I also met with a number of residents at my surgery this month, and I am grateful to the team at Vito's in Ruislip for hosting.
If you would like to make an appointment to meet with me at a surgery, or are a business who would be interested in hosting, please get in touch via 0203 545 2462 or [email protected].
Nationwide's Dementia Clinic
It was a pleasure to visit Judy and the team at Nationwide in Pinner this month to hear how they are supporting constituents through their dementia clinic.
As part of a wider partnership with Dementia UK, Nationwide is facilitating free confidential appointments with a specialist, admiral nurse for those affected by dementia. These are available to all residents - not just Nationwide customers - as an opportunity to share concerns or ask questions about the condition.
During my visit, I spoke with admiral nurse Sarah about some of the challenges around dementia care and diagnosis, and I committed to raising some important points with ministers.
This was the first of its kind to be held at the Pinner branch. The appointments were booked up almost immediately and so they are hoping to roll this out as a regular service for the community. I am grateful to all for their time and the vital work they are doing.
Further information on the dementia clinics can be found here.
Pinn River School
I was delighted to be welcomed to the new Pinn River School in Eastcote this month.
During my time as a Hillingdon councillor, I was involved in the planning to provide a new school for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Now, following a number of bumps in the road, I am pleased to see this project successfully delivered.
Having been shown round the new buildings, facilities and beautiful surroundings, it is clear how happy the children are at the school. None of this would have been possible without Liz and the dedicated team at Pinn River, and it is inspiring to see all that they have achieved.
As the school grows, many more children will be given these opportunities and experiences, and I know this will continue to be a great asset to the community in Eastcote and across the wider area.
Operation TELIC 15th anniversary
To mark the 15th anniversary of the end of Operation TELIC (the Iraq war), I joined local government colleagues, Group Captain Lee Wales (RAF Northolt Station Commander) and members of the Royal British Legion in Ruislip for a service to commemorate this significant event.
It has left a legacy, and it is important to honour the men and women who served our country and to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Mount Vernon Hospital site visit
The closure of the urgent care centre last year and recent consultation on moving the cancer centre to Watford General has left residents with understandable concerns about the future of the Mount Vernon Hospital site in Northwood.
In my Easter update, I informed residents that the NHS were reviewing which services from Hillingdon Hospital will need to be temporarily relocated to nearby hospitals, including Mount Vernon (once again, I highlight the incongruity of doing this when a key service was moved away from the site to Hillingdon last year). As part of this, a review of Mount Vernon's services is underway and this month I joined the NHS team leading that review for a site visit.
I was talked through the different buildings - who they are owned by and what is in use - to determine what services can be moved over. This information will be collated, and I have been assured that it will be presented to me towards the end of the year.
Like many residents in my constituency and beyond, I do not want to see this site abandoned. While there has been no suggestion of this, I appreciate it is a worry. I therefore want to assure residents that I will work hard to ensure the future of Mount Vernon is safeguarded.
Banking Hub campaign
The closure of NatWest in Eastcote this month has left the high street without a bank. Residents will now be asked to travel to Harrow or Uxbridge if they wish to visit a NatWest branch.
As such, I have worked with Jay from the Post Office on Field End Road on a banking hub application. By way of an update, this has been submitted, and I am hopeful for a positive outcome.
In Parliament
The King's Speech
The King’s Speech this year was sadly very thin and overshadowed by the chaos in the Labour Party.
The UK has faced and overcome greater challenges than it faces today. At every juncture, it has taken a strong, sound government that can make the tough decisions in the national interest. After two years of damaging Labour policy, I had hoped that this speech might signal a serious rethink on government policy. Sadly, what we heard this month was mostly a desperate pitch to the Labour backbenches from this ailing Labour Government.
There was no commitment to encourage economic growth, no concrete steps to increase defence spending and clearly no desire to implement the bold decisions we need. Instead, the Government decided to rebrand existing policy and push ahead with short-term political pet projects that will only further damage the country.
The plans outlined by the King on behalf of his Government do little to reassure my constituents that they are being listened to. There was no promise to reassess their most damaging policy and little to reassure me that this Government is up to the challenges we face as a country.
HS2 Adjournment Debate
In recent months, it has become evident that the challenges posed by HS2 have not abated, and new ones have emerged.
I welcomed the opportunity to speak in a timely debate on the impact of HS2 on communities across the country this month. It was a privilege to intervene several times on my excellent constituency neighbour, Joy Morrisey, who secured this debate in Parliament.
There have been hundreds of hours of debate in the House of Commons about the impact of HS2; however, these debates must continue, despite the railway’s advanced construction stage.
The Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre (HOAC) was forced to close to allow for the construction of the Colne Valley viaduct. Having been forced shut for longer than originally planned, HOAC is now facing an existential financial threat. As a result of Hillingdon Council’s proactive work, planning permission for a new outdoor activity centre on Broadwater Lake has been secured. Still, HS2 must release the promised funds to ensure HOAC can bridge the gap until the new centre opens.
I was also grateful for the opportunity to raise the plight of residents in Harefield who continue to face congested roads and the need for enhanced protection for the Colne Valley Regional Park.
You can watch some of my remarks here.
As ever, my office is on-hand to support those who need it. If you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Kind regards,
David
