POLITICS
Anne Marie Morris Following our interview with Ben Bradshaw last year, we looked to expand our political coverage this year with the following interview with Conservative MP for Newton Abbot, Anne Marie Morris, back in the autumn of 2020. by
How do you approach opposing views, in regard to your policies, from constituents? I do not expect everyone to agree with my views, though I always hope to form them in the best interests of constituents. When constituents question my views or tell me they disagree with them, I always try to explain my reasoning. Of course, I am conscious that my role is to represent constituents, therefore, I am careful to take their views on board and am always happy to be proven wrong by constituents or my team. Despite this, we must remember that MPs are voted for based on the views and plans that they set out, therefore, to drastically change my plans and opinions would be letting down those who voted for me based on these plans. Do you believe Brexit will place the UK in a better position than remaining in the EU? I remain a steadfast supporter of Brexit. I wholeheartedly believe that leaving the EU offers the UK the opportunity to take control of its laws, relationships, and actions. Ideally, I would like to see us leave with a deal but that we should have no fears about leaving the EU without one, I now believe that it is likely that we will leave without a deal. Brexit is happening: we must look forward to the opportunities that Brexit presents our country. Do you feel the government’s methods in tackling Covid 19 are effective? Is there any way you feel they could be improved? The situation we have found ourselves in as a nation has been unprecedented. The government had to make decisions based on the limited information available at the time. In terms of the measures in place to mitigate the spread of the virus, I believe that early measures were important to prevent the NHS from
TAMAR A LET TS
It is welcome that the UK remains committed to environmentally sustainable development as set out in the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. This was demonstrated when last September, the Prime Minister committed to doubling the UK’s International Climate Finance over the next five years which I hope will enable the UK to play an active part in protecting the environment and reversing biodiversity loss.
becoming overwhelmed. I think that the government did all it could in the early months to prioritise the health of the public, and then create essential measures to protect jobs and businesses. I now believe that the government should be mindful of restricting areas that are lower risk, such as Newton Abbot. The constituency has been one of the least affected yet have suffered amongst the worst economically. Do you feel the current Conservative government is doing enough in terms of the environment and sustainability? Our environment is changing around us and not for the better. We must protect that environment and take responsibility for stopping the environmental damage which is causing climate change and the extinction of native plants and animals and damage to human health and safety. As you may be aware, I was one of the MPs who signed the ‘The Time is Now’ declaration earlier this year. I am proud that the UK was the first G7 country to legislate to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, but we need clear steps to get there. The evidence points to the fact that getting to net zero by 2050 is feasible and consistent with avoiding most damaging climate change.
As a woman in politics, what are some of the toughest obstacles you have faced? I am pleased that, at 34%, the percentage of women in the House of Commons is the highest it has ever been. Despite this, I still frequently find myself in meetings where I am the only female and everyone else is largely of the same age bracket and ethnicity. It is no illusion that women, ethnic minorities, those with disabilities and those from the LGBTQ+ community are still underrepresented in many spheres, including politics. The role of diversity in our representation is ever-increasingly present on our agenda, I do believe that this must continue. I personally pursue this agenda by seeking diversity and specific female representation in the circles I work within, such as in the All-Party Parliamentary Groups that I chair and within my own team. I think it is essential that we all do our part to advance this and it would be a crime not to use my position in this way. Despite its challenges, being a woman in politics is very useful. It helps me to empathise and understand women’s issues better than many of my male colleagues. One of my biggest difficulties is projecting my voice as much as some of my male colleagues in the chamber. This was the case when I was asking the Prime Minister for funding for the local University Technical College – the clip went viral! The Exonian 2021 57
