Category: News & Articles
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January 14, 2022
York Press column – Finally we are learning to live with covid
As we move through the cold days and early evenings, we have the significant consolation that the government has so far resisted the urge to again suspend normal life through lockdown. After the cruel separations of last December, it was a relief to enjoy a fairly normal Christmas and New Year, with Ministers now trusting […] -
January 12, 2022
Statement on alleged Downing Street Parties
The recent revelations about the party in the garden of Number 10 on the 20th May 2020 are deeply disturbing and further undermine public confidence in the judgment of the Prime Minister, who must take full responsibility. The Prime Minister came to the House of Commons, admitted his involvement in the party and duly apologised. […] -
January 1, 2022
Julian’s New Year Message – York Press
After another year dominated by covid, I want to warmly wish residents a Happy New Year. I know many York households have suffered appallingly from the pandemic, with 2021 proving a second grim year. I have been listening and working for you throughout this ordeal, and am here to help in any way I can. […] -
December 29, 2021
York Press column: 2021 a Year of Wins for York
With this being my last column of the year, it is hard not to reflect on the 2021; a year where in some places we feel we have come so far and in others we are experiencing deja vu. It is also important to remember that while the pandemic has dominated the news, life has […] -
December 24, 2021
Christmas Card Competition Winners
Earlier this year, Julian launched his Christmas card competition by inviting school children up to Year 4 to send me their festive designs. As you can expect, the competition was very tough and deciding only one winner with two runners-up was difficult. Julian is thankful to all students who took part and to their teachers […] -
December 18, 2021
Worries about a ‘lockdown by stealth’ for hospitality sector
In response to emails received overnight, Julian stands with the hospitality sector and calls for the end of mixed messages which is leading to a ‘lockdown by stealth’: “I am hearing worrying reports from York of restaurants, pubs and bars seeing significant drops in custom last night compared to only a week ago. As York […] -
December 17, 2021
Julian joins 73,000 York residents by getting boosted
Today Julian joined the 25 million people nationally and the 73,000 people in York who have received their booster jab to top-up their protection against covid-19. Julian has always been clear that our route out of the pandemic is through a successful vaccination programme and he was reassured to see so many people coming to […] -
December 15, 2021
York Press column – Omicron must not spoil a normal Christmas
As Christmas looms, I appreciate York residents may be feeling a sense of ‘déjà vu’, with rising virus cases again leading the government to tighten covid measures for the festive season. However, thanks to our vaccine shield and booster rollout, the situation is vastly better than December 2020, with ‘Plan B’ rules proposed to tackle […] -
December 14, 2021
My votes on Plan B coronavirus measures
This evening, I voted against Government proposals for ‘vaccine passports’ for some venues and against mandating vaccination for frontline health workers, but reluctantly supported Ministers on reintroducing compulsory indoor mask wearing. I believe this strikes the right balance between addressing the omicron infection wave, the precise effect of which remains uncertain at this stage, and […] -
December 9, 2021
Proposed further coronavirus measures
Although I support proportionate measures to tackle rising omicron infections, I also have significant reservations about moving back towards restrictions, especially anything that divides the public by vaccination status. I will have to look carefully at the detailed proposals before I decide the extent to which I can support the government in votes on this […]
