PEOPLE
A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER
Winchester MP Steve Brine explains why it ’ s very much business as usual
We ’ ve almost become used to living
through near constant crisis and uncertainty , says Steve Brine when we talk in mid-January . “ Some of the big government decisions are really tough but you have to remind yourself that there is very often no right answer , just the least worst . At the end of the day , we have a job to do and there are many people who rely on us .”
Despite the challenges of what will go down as a year in history that no one will forget , he ’ s been proud to serve in a government whose initiatives have supported people through the pandemic . “ The Chancellor ’ s job retention scheme was compassionate Conservatism in action ,” he says . “ That made me incredibly proud . We implemented the most generous scheme in the world and , while there are gaps for the self-employed which need addressing , what we did do cannot be underestimated .”
It ’ s very much business as usual for the busy MP , who has combined time in the Commons with his day-to-day work in the constituency .
Having resigned from his ministerial post as Public Health Minister over the threat of leaving the EU without a deal in 2019 , Steve was relieved to finally see a UK / EU trade deal come to fruition in December . “ It was a red line for me ,” he says . “ The deal gives us a future with our friends in the EU . It ’ s time to come together – and remember that we have far more that unites than divides us – and move on .”
Over the last 12 months much of his time has been taken up with the effects of the pandemic on Winchester , but other casework continues too . “ I ’ ve had a few battles with Winchester City Council recently over plans to build thousands of houses on our precious landscape setting , and also been in discussions on the future of the Sir John Moore Barracks site as the MoD move out ,” he says .
“ The future of the Royal Hampshire County Hospital and its acute services has dominated my attention for over a decade . Now , more than ever , my message to the local NHS is , don ’ t give up on Winchester ’ s hospital .”
Behind the scenes , Steve has been quietly rolling up his sleeves too . “ There is much to be proud of in the way Winchester people came together over the last 12 months ,” he says . “ During the first lockdown I helped FirstBite deliver meals to vulnerable people on my bike and I ’ ve been helping out at local vaccination centres as a receptionist .”
People contact matters to Steve . He ’ ll be back among his constituents as soon as he ’ s able . “ Professionally , I ’ m looking forward to more time face to face with local schools , businesses and organisations ,” he says . “ Personally , I want to dust off my passport and go somewhere I don ’ t speak the language . And I definitely want to go to a gig .”
www . stevebrine . com
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