South Yorkshire MP looks back over tumultuous 2020

As a tumultuous year comes to a close, John Healey, Labour Mp for Wentworth and Dearne takes looks back on the highs and lows of 2020.
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Mr Healey has had a busy year, like so many of us – his caseload tripled during early March, with people seeking advice and information about the coronavirus pandemic.

“If you ask the team here, one of the most traumatic things we have dealt with, particularly in the first four to six weeks, was local people stranded in different parts of the world, with the government saying come home, but resisting any responsibility for organising flights to get them home,” he said.

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“Those were some of the most so immediate, urgent and distressing calls and cases.”

MP John Healey
Picture: James Hardisty.MP John Healey
Picture: James Hardisty.
MP John Healey Picture: James Hardisty.

Speaking after delivering Christmas goodie bags to vulnerable residents in his constituency with the B:Friend service, Mr Healey said that is has been “frustrating” to see the government’s “chaotic” handling of Brexit.

People are right to ask, if a deal was ready 12 months ago, why the delay, why the complications? Running it right up to the wire has got tied up with Christmas problems, Covid problems. My worry is that this is a perfect storm.

“The military are having to be on standby to deliver the vaccine.”

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On more local issues, Mr Healey has been an ardent campaigner in the crackdown against anti-social behaviour on the Dearne Valley Parkway, urged the Government not to scrap a tax break for small breweries that he brought in, spoken out for worker’s safety during the pandemic, helped to reinstate Swinton’s park and ride service, and worked alongside Company Shop in Thurnscoe to help them open to carere staff, as well as other frontline workers.

Mr Healey added that for 2021, he “simply just hopes that 2021 is a much better year for everyone.”

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