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Keep updated on the latest news, campaigns and my work on behalf of voters in High Peak.
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Local Government Reorganisation
I am interested to know what your priorities are in terms of how local government should be restructured locally and regionally to best meet our economic and public service needs.
20/12/2024Read More -
Christmas Card Competition
Earlier in the year I wrote to all of High Peak’s primary school to let them know that I am running a Christmas card competition this year. It is open to all primary school children in the High Peak The theme is “Where I live” and I would like students to draw or paint whatever
31/10/2024Read More -
Fully costed first steps for change
Keir Starmer has set out Labour’s five national missions to get Britain’s future back. The missions are long term, fully funded aims that will guide a Labour government’s decisions to deliver a decade of national renewal.
16/05/2024Read More
Latest Videos
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I can help constituents on various issues, such as education, the environment, health and social services, highways, transport, and housing.
I would love to hear from you about what you think my priorities should be as your MP for High Peak and what matters most to you.
Please use the contact form to get in touch with me. Please remember to provide as many details as possible, including your name, address and full details of your issue.
It is just six short months since I had the honour of my life being sworn in as the MP for High Peak. It has flown by. But in other ways it feels like a lifetime ago. Despite having never stood for parliament before I thought I knew what I was letting myself in for. I did not.
Here’s a brief snapshot of what my local team and I have been up support the people of High Peak 👇 ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐞𝐱𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞.
It is just six short months since I had the honour of my life being sworn in as the MP for High Peak. It has flown by. But in other ways it feels like a lifetime ago. Despite having never stood for parliament before I thought I knew what I was letting myself in for. I did not.
Before all this I was an intensely private family man. The extraordinary amount of misinformation created (whether unintentionally or sadly otherwise) and shared has been truly shocking.
It reached a new low last week relating to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill and an amendment calling for a national inquiry into grooming gangs. The Bill is the single biggest piece of children’s safeguarding legislation in a generation. It includes important changes that will tackle children vanishing from education and measures to require local councils to adopt a multi-agency approach to safeguarding children. It is also delivers on our manifesto commitment to make sure every primary school child has access to a free breakfast club.
The Conservatives put down a wrecking amendment to the Bill calling for a national inquiry into grooming gangs. Had their amendment passed it would have killed the Bill but, importantly, not delivered an inquiry. They knew we could never vote to destroy a Bill containing our own manifesto commitments. It was pure self-serving politics.
My kids are my world and there is a special place in hell for anyone that abuses a child. If there is a case for a further national inquiry that will help victims and bring these paedophiles to justice, then let’s have that debate.
But we have already had a national inquiry into child sex abuse. It was set up by the Conservatives in 2015. It took seven years to complete and cost £200 million. It made twenty recommendations. The Conservatives did not implement a single one of them.
Professor Jay, the Report’s author, has said we should get on and implement the recommendations to safeguard children now, not delay with another inquiry. That is exactly what we are doing.
The Conservatives did not act on this issue in Government. So why are they raising it now? Because the richest man on the planet (who despite knowing nothing about it) tweeted about it. I’ve watched my fair share of Bond movies and Elon Musk is a moon laser away from holding the world to ransom.
We should be standing up to someone who is trying to interfere not just in our government but the governments in Germany and around the world - not rolling over like the Conservatives in the hope he might tickle their tummy or bung them a few quid. ... See MoreSee Less
13 CommentsComment on Facebook
A good post Jon. From the heart too, which counts for a lot. Let’s do all we can to keep our children safe.
Twenty recommendations ignored by the conservatives, disgusting. What are your thoughts on changing the law so that politicians are recognised as public servants and can be sacked from their roles , never to work in politics again ? It would go a long way to restoring public faith in politics in this country .
Both parties are using this issue for political ends yet neither seems to be calling for any immediate action against the grooming gangs and those who are protecting them. It's also very telling that the victims do not seem to have any faith in the outcome of any of the various reports. It will be interesting to see what this government actually does.... very little I suspect. I'm no fan of Musk but he has clearly done the UK a big favour here by forcing Labour to do something.
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📻LISTEN: Listen to my interview on BBC Derby about the changes to local government across England, what that means once HPBC and DCC do not exisit and why we must look at all the options to ensure that we get the best deal for High Peak. ... See MoreSee Less
28 CommentsComment on Facebook
Apart from sentiment, what are the benefits of being part of an all Derbyshire council do people think? If Jon thinks the Stockport/Tameside option is best surely it it right that he puts this forward so that people can consider it. If in the end that opinion is not shared by the people in High Peak then that should be respected but I cannot see why various options cannot be explored at this stage.
manchestergazette.co.uk/1916/should-manchester-councils-merge/ interesting as mustings are already going on about a huge single unitary across GM which would include Macclesfield and High Peak with a combined population of over 3 million. A North Derbyshire approx 400'000. The borough will end up the forgotten land with the GM plan if this goes ahead. I'll tell you what the "reality is" Jon- its that you are pretty much going to throw a stick of dynamite into the borough and then mog off in a few years leaving a path of destruction that people are going to have to live with for the next 50 years or more. You are frightening some of your constituents with this GM narrative - especially in the rural areas. Just as bad as DCC's plans. I will say this again - the borough is disconnected due to some imbecile i.e. Barbara Castle closing the Chinley - Matlock line- how about putting your effort in to correct that? Buxton in Greater Manchester - I have never heard anything so damn hideous in my entire life, my grandparents ( you know a family of generations who have lived here) as a family of Labour voters would be turning in their graves!
You can't listen to Radio Derby in High Peak though, our default is Radio Manchester
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𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐱𝐭𝐨𝐧
I attended a really useful roundtable meeting in Buxton with local tourism and hospitality stakeholders organised by Visit Peak District and Derbyshire.
It was great to hear from local business owners and get their perspective on issues in the hospitality sector.
Improving the pace of planning decisions and the reliability of public transport along with strategies on attracting visitors and investment from further afield were amongst the areas we covered. Thanks to everyone that came. ... See MoreSee Less
16 CommentsComment on Facebook
High Peak - Derbyshire mate. Derbyshire. We all want to stay in Derbyshire whatever your spin even though you're clearly on a promise if you suck us into GM. Fascinated to learn what's in it for you. Truth will come out.
Did you talk about how much of the hospitality sector won't be able to afford to employ or hire staff due to the increased wage bill??
Fantastic to see you representing as an MP . However . I think a better use of your representing skills might be to give the people of the High Peak a vote in who we merge with
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🎟️ Starting today, over 2 million rail sale tickets are available, with up to 50% off to help with the cost of living.
More on the sale 👇🏼
www.gov.uk/government/news/back-and-bigger-than-ever-rail-sale-offers-up-to-half-price-discounts-... ... See MoreSee Less
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
My partner pre-bought a Northern Rail ticket from Marple to Manchester the other day. Almost every train was cancelled and, in the end, I had to drive her to Stockport. I want the trains to work but, if you can’t plan a journey, how can we trust them to get us there and back?
Is it any wonder they can reduce the fares by 50% when they are so high in the first place . 5 x that of French rail travel ; and I dare say the French trains actually turn up and run . Rail travel is too unreliable , too expensive , too dirty . But have probably the best paid staff out of any form of transport .
does this apply to accessing disabled railcards please?
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Derbyshire Conservatives are trying to dodge the county council elections in May. I’m determined to stop them.
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MP's open letter to minister slams bid to cancel local elections
www.notreallyheremedia.com
High Peak MP Jon Pearce has written an open letter condemning plans to cancel local council elections in the county.24 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you Jon Pearce MP for High Peak for highlighting how important this decision will be. It’s totally wrong of Barry Lewis to try and delay local elections and propose a Derbyshire wide unitary authority without any consultation. High Peak Borough Council, created 50 years ago, will cease to exist as will Derbyshire County Council. We have to look at all options and not rush decisions. As you say, we need time for “careful consideration and consultation on what deal will deliver the best possible outcomes for each area in terms of improved public services, more and better jobs, increased investment and accountability." Whatever decision is made, the consequences will be with us for a long time, and will affect our children and grandchildren’s futures.
DCC must not be allowed to stop the council elections - it's simply unacceptable .
Thanks for the work you're doing, Jon. Just remember, you won, and Labour won, with a majority. And that majority are still behind you.
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𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐮𝐛𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭
It was inspiring to visit the amazing Reuben's Retreat in Glossop. It's such an important facility and does great work supporting families who have suffered the loss of a child or have a child living with medical complexities.
I was given a tour by the lovely Shannon and I know that the charity's founder and Reuben's mummy, Nicola, has big plans for further refurbishment of the site to create accommodation for families that use the Retreat. Please support them if you can.
To learn more about the fantastic impact they make or to donate to their work please visit them at: www.reubensretreat.org/about-us/ ... See MoreSee Less
11 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you so much for your time! It was great to show you around the site and we are forever grateful for the wonderful support from our community 💙
I'm surprised jon Pearce isn't wanting it closed down it's the only thing hes supported since being elected.
On a day trip from London 👎
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𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬
Local government is changing across the country, and we must make sure that High Peak gets the best possible deal.
The Government’s proposals will see smaller district councils, like High Peak Borough Council, and larger county councils, like Derbyshire County Council, disappear with new single tier councils created to replace them, known as Unitaries.
Derbyshire Conservatives have already submitted a proposal to Government that would see a single mega council based in Matlock for all of Derbyshire. They were one of the first counties to submit a proposal without any notice or consultation. By doing so they are trying to force Derbyshire into the first tranche of single tier councils in the hope that no one will have time to stop them or fully develop alternatives.
I am open-minded about all options except the Derbyshire Conservatives proposals for a mega council based in Matlock. It would stretch from the Leicestershire borders all the way up to Tintwistle in Glossopdale. It would cover about 800,000 people. It is too vast, too remote, and High Peak would inevitably lose out.
I want the best possible deal for the whole of High Peak. For too long we have been the poor relations in Derbyshire. We have never been a priority in Matlock and always the first place targeted by cuts. You only need look at the state of our roads, the appalling SEND provision, their proposals to close our care homes, our adult day centres, and sell off of our community centres.
I am pleased that Labour-led High Peak are looking at all options before making any submission.
The recommended size for any new unitary council is around half a million. High Peak has about 90,000 residents, so we will need to merge with neighbouring areas to form a new unitary.
One possible option would be a northern Derbyshire council, based in Chesterfield, covering Bolsover, North East Derbyshire and Derbyshire Dales. I know High Peak Borough Council will look seriously at that option.
To our north and west we share borders with Tameside and Stockport. Both of which are in Greater Manchester. There is a strong case from an economic and public services perspective for exploring a merger with one of these councils too.
It would have the advantage that we could be part of a smaller council because the Greater Manchester model is based on 200,000 to 300,000 population sizes, which would give us greater influence to get investment into our villages and towns.
When you look at key economic indicators, like travel to work areas, all of High Peak points towards the North West and Greater Manchester rather than the East Midlands and Derby and Nottingham.
All our trains, whether from Buxton, New Mills, Chapel, Whaley Bridge, Glossop or across the Hope Valley, where I live, all go into Greater Manchester. No trains or major transport routes go south towards Derby or Nottingham.
More people use the hospitals in Greater Manchester, like Stepping Hill and Tameside, than they do at Chesterfield in Derbyshire.
Many of our young people, if they do not go to college in High Peak, cross the border into Greater Manchester. Indeed, one of main election promises was to deliver fairer fares for High Peak’s students because they could not access the free bus pass students in their class from Greater Manchester can.
My sole objective is getting the best possible deal for High Peak, not just for today but for our children and grandchildren. I am Derbyshire born and bred and whatever happens with this local government reorganisation I will still be proud to live in Derbyshire. This will not change our sense of place or belonging to our local communities. This is about getting the right option for how we are governed locally and regionally to deliver the best possible future for our towns and villages in terms of jobs, investment and better public services.
I am very keen to hear local people’s views. I am running a survey so that I can feed into this process both locally and nationally: www.jon4highpeak.com/LocalGovChanges ... See MoreSee Less
56 CommentsComment on Facebook
So listen to our views then instead of trying to drag us into Greater Manchester! You serve your constituents first not a party political power play. And for the record we do not feel ‘out on a limb’ in Derbyshire - we are Derbyshire
I'd like us to be part of Greater Manchester. Joining up our public transport and NHS services with GM makes more sense to me than staying part of a Derbyshire CC which focuses resources and infrastructure on Derby and Chesterfield and not High Peak towns.
People in High Peak don’t use Stepping Hill they’d rather go elsewhere, the building is barely standing. Most don’t want to be merged with GM and no it’s not a no brainer. How about you allow a referendum to allow those of High Peak decide. The reality is we will get left behind being merged with GM more so than we are now in the current set up.
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Some of the things I’ve been up to this week - including 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥. 🏫📚 ... See MoreSee Less
17 CommentsComment on Facebook
There should be no reason why both cannot happen the children's bill goes through and a specific look into the child rape gangs. Belive it or not I have read the jay report and it covers lots of things children's care homes abuse from the church failings of Cross agencies sharing information etc etc All of which need acting upon. However the specific rape gang scenario was barely touched and it would seem this has/is going on in lots of towns with aledged cover ups also thrown into the mix. Our children/grandchildren do deserve better. It would seem that ALL politicians from ALL parties are more bothered about blaming each other point scoring and towing their own party line which anyone with half a brain can work out its not always the truth. WHY can't you ALL work together for once and actually just do the right thing.
As far as I am concerned. You have voted against the inquiry into child grooming. I fully expect you to answer why! Also, again. You (appear) to still be ignoring the push to get high peak to merge with another council that is irrelevant to the high peak. You clearly don't seem interested in replying. So I will email you. And I fully expect to meet you in person to discuss these issues. If Jon Pearce MP for High Peak you can't do this. You clearly ain't fit for office.
Forgive my unrelated comments, but may I ask if you're aware of the financial difficulties facing the Peak District National Park, and their plans for staff redundancies and limitations on the Park's facilities. Government funding has reduced in real terms in previous years, and their costs have risen. This situation needs your attention and support. Thank you.
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