SOUTHSEA’S MP

James Buckley

My first impression of Stephen Morgan, MP, is that he’s a man who really loves what he does. He’s often seen around the streets of Portsmouth, talking with residents, businesses, and everyone in between about their concerns. One of the issues he’s trying to deal with locally involves improving access to dentists and GPs in the city, as well as trying to protect the NHS. Furthermore, he feels strongly about the cost-of-living crisis and “the effect that it’s having on all people in Portsmouth around rising prices of fuel, energy, and food.” “In the future, I want Portsmouth to be a city where anyone can succeed and thrive, where people feel safe. Can afford to heat their homes and have food on the table, where people are doing everything they can to stop the climate crisis, and where they’ve access to really good local health services.” As a D-Day Veteran, his grandfather was his motivation and inspiration for going into politics. “He lived in Southsea all his life, and sadly passed away a few years ago. He served in Operation Overlord at 17, but towards the end of his life, local services let him down. This was part of the reason why I finally decided to move into politics.” Stephen adds, “Because people like him served our country so well, I think they deserve the very best in life, and I wanted to fight for people like him so that they have access to services that they need when they need it.” The MP was born in 1981 in Fratton. He attended Priory School Comprehensive, and then Portsmouth College. He was the first of his family to go to university (“I think that’s what inspired me specifically to stand for public office”), studying politics and sociology at Bristol University before taking a master’s degree in politics at

Goldsmiths, London. It’s Stephen’s job to represent the 75,000 electors that make up his constituency. “It doesn’t matter whether they voted for me or not at the last election. What matters is that they’re represented. I make efforts to meet with certain groups and organisations so that they know their views are valid and will be heard by me.“ Future plans for improving Portsmouth? “The big thing I’m working on at the moment is bidding for money from the Levelling Up fund.” The fund is designed to invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life in the UK. “20 years ago, I was a young person, and I used to enjoy going into Commercial Road every Saturday for something to do. But you just wouldn’t do that now.” That’s why he wants £40 million to “put the heart back into the city” investing in Guildhall Walk Photo: courtesy of the offfice of Stephen Morgan and the City Centre, and revitalising important transport links around the area. And when it comes to his dream education plan for every child? “I went to Priory School in Southsea. I had a great education thanks to brilliant local teachers and my family but I was lucky.” “I want to make sure it’s not about luck, that everyone gets the opportunity to go to a great school. We know that the pandemic has had an impact on GCSE and A-Level results and we are trying to do something about it.” “That’s my top priority right now. I want to make sure that, whatever your background, you go on to fulfil your ambitions.”

We have learnt to successfully live with the Covid pandemic. You are now invited to attend the remaining three one-hour lectures of 2022 on Tuesday evenings. Doors open after 18:00 with introduction of our speaker by our Chairman at 18:45 with a lecture commencing at 19:00. The presentations are:

11th October 2022 by BBC Road Show expert Clive Stewart-Lockhart on George Chinnery - The greatest artist of British India and the far East.

8th November 2022 by Christopher Bradley - Secret Treasure Chest of Yemen and Oman.

13th December 2022 by Caroline Walker - Discovering MacDonald Gill: Architect, artist and mapmaker.

We meet at The Lecture Theatre of Portsmouth University, Eldon Building in Middle Street Portsmouth (off the South side of Winston Churchill Avenue.) Public car parking is close by. We hope you will enjoy each of the lectures. If you wish to make a small donation towards costs it will not be refused

UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH ELDON BUILDING, MIDDLE STREET, SOUTHSEA PO1 2DJ WE GATHER FROM 6PM PRESENTATION 7-8PM A DONATION OF £5 WOULD BE APPRECIATED IF WISHED