August Highlights

👶Thank you so much to everyone who congratulated my wife Alice for the news that we have another child on the way later this year, we're very happy.

This is where we are at with our current casework:

📥Cases opened for residents: 331

📤Cases closed for residents: 499

⏳Total number of cases we are currently working on: 655

Please contact us and we will always try to help:

📧mark.sewards.mp@parliament.uk

This month, we said goodbye to Jade and Blase who have worked for me since 2024. Jade was an incredible caseworker who I know many of you had contact with and Blase was a fantastic Constituency Assistant who was often mistaken for a body guard at community events. I thank them for their service to the people of Leeds South West & Morley and wish them all the very best for the future.

Campaign win on fireworks

I was pleased the Government has launched a landmark review and consultation on how firework use is regulated.

The antisocial use of fireworks is something residents have written to me about on numerous occasions. It’s a concern I’ve raised with ministers consistently as your MP, so this consultation is very welcome.

Admittedly, it’s not the most straight-forward document the Government has produced. That’s why I’ll be rolling out a mini consultation this week, so that my constituents can send their thoughts directly to my office for us to pass on to the Government.

I have absolutely nothing against the professional displays that we’re lucky to have in Leeds South West and Morley. But persistent use of fireworks at all hours of the day traumatises veterans, vulnerable people and pets, and needs to be regulated.

Bad news for fly-tippers

Like so many of my constituents, I’m sick of fly-tippers. They are a blight on our community. Concerns raised over illegal waste dumping are common in my inbox, and it’s an issue that comes up regularly on the doorstep. That’s why I’ve called for much stricter punishments for fly-tippers ever since I was elected, including forcing those who make the mess to pay for cleaning it up.

I’m delighted that the Government has launched the biggest ever crackdown on illegal waste dumping, by delegating more power to local authorities to deter, catch and punish these criminals. More power for them means more scope for me, as your MP, to press for action on your behalf.

West Yorkshire will be one of the first regions where these proposals to be implemented, so we'll be setting the standard to remind people across the country that illegal waste dumping is a serious and punishable crime.

This is a huge win for residents. I’ll keep up my work in this area to ensure the measures are implemented in full, and fly-tippers get the punishments they deserve.

From Leeds South West and Morley to the Falkland Islands

I was deeply honoured to lay a wreath on the Falkland Islands on behalf of Nigel Bell, a local man and former Royal Marine. Nigel fought for our country during the Falklands War, alongside two friends, Michael “Blue” Nowak and Paul Callan, both of whom lost their lives during the conflict.

Nigel’s wreath was dedicated to Blue and Paul, and he asked me to lay it at the Two Sisters Memorial which sits well above Stanley. The experience served as a powerful reminder that democracy is about people having the right to determine their own future, and it was a privilege to pay my respects to two men who fought and died for that right.

I was also honoured to meet some serving personnel at RAF Mount Pleasant, to gain a better insight into how we can make life easier for those who put theirs on the line. That’s the whole point of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme; to bring MPs and Lords with no prior military experience together to better inform our debates on defence and military.

I’d like to pay tribute to local residents Ralph and Leeann, who led me up to the memorial in unfavourable weather conditions. I can’t thank them enough for taking the time to make the trek possible, and I was delighted to present them with some gifts from Andy Dalton on behalf of Morley Community Church.

I remain proud to stand by our Falkland Islander neighbours in their right to self-determination and will do so for as long as I’m a Member of Parliament.

Pride in Place boundary extension

Important news for Old Farnley as the Pride in Place board succeeded in getting a much-needed boundary extension. My office has received concerns over the boundary map since its announcement, and I’ve been fighting for it to change ever since.

Over 2,400 people across Farnley on the Tong Estate, the Stonecliffes, and the Stonebridges are now within the area that will directly benefit from the £20m, among other places. The boundary change means huge community assets like Farnley Hall Park and Farnley Community Centre are now included too.

I’d like to thank Jo, who has been amazing as chair of the board. She held 27 different events this summer, targeted at various demographics with the aim of getting as much input and feedback from residents as possible. That feedback influences what the money is spent on, so it’s really important to have your say. You can do that here: https://tinyurl.com/3wx7zkfp

I’m so excited about what the future holds for Farnley!

Results Day!

Congratulations to the thousands of students who received their A-level, T-level, VTQ and GCSE results in August. As a maths teacher, I saw first-hand the hard work and determination that leads up to results day, not only from those studying, but also from the parents, guardians and school staff supporting them.

Results Day marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. It’s a day to be celebrated, regardless of what might or might not be in the envelope. I’m looking forward to getting back to work with the Education Select Committee in Parliament, to keep fighting to fix our education system so that it works for everyone.

Supporting our community

What a month I’ve had out in the constituency and beyond. Some of the highlights in Farnley & Wortley include Flourishing Families Community Cookery session, Farnley Fest and visiting the Building Futures Together site.

I held meetings with important stakeholders and community groups from both Morley North and Morley South, all of whom share my drive in wanting what’s best for our community. I held surgeries at the constituency office and at Churwell Community Centre, which were some of the busiest I’ve held all year, and I’m grateful that my constituents know they can come to me when they need support.

In Ardsley & Robin Hood, I held my last surgery at West Ardsley Methodist Church before their long-awaited refurbishment, and I can’t wait to see the finished results. They’re currently in search for a temporary venue from which they can hold their weekly food bank, and my office will continue to support them in that search.

I hold my weekly surgeries across 13 different locations in the constituency and I’m very grateful to everyone who hosts me.

You don’t need to come to a surgery for help though. Please just contact me anytime.

After making some structural changes, we’re beginning to make a dent in the unusually high number of cases I’ve alluded to previously. There’s still much more work to do so please bear with us, but don’t be deterred in asking for support: