Lincoln MP remains committed to delivering change a year on from the 2024 General Election

The MP for Lincoln says he remains committed to delivering ‘change’, acknowledging it has been slower than people may have thought.

Hamish Falconer was elected as MP for Lincoln in July 2024, with a majority of more than 8,000 votes.

The seat swung to Labour and he replaced former Conservative MP Karl McCartney. The Lincoln MP is also the parliamentary under-secretary for the Middle East.

Mr Falconer spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a year on from being elected, and outlined his ambitions for the next few years.

Mr Falconer said: “I know how impatient people are to see change. What I hear when I’m out and about is that there has been some noticeable improvements in terms of being able to get appointments at the NHS. There is still more to do and it’s difficult to turn around 14 years of stagnation overnight.

“I can recognise that a year in, many of my constituents want to see change and that it what I’m committed to delivering.”

The MP went on to acknowledge the rise in National Insurance had hit many local businesses hard, but said the Chancellor had faced a ‘terrible inheritance' from the Conservative Party.

He added: “We had a terrible inheritance from the previous government. The money has to come from somewhere. I recognise that those burdens have had an impact on businesses both here and elsewhere.

“We’re trying to get the balance right. It’s been a tough set of circumstances to have inherited from our predecessors and we’re doing everything we can to try to manage it.

“I am pleased that the UK’s economy growth has been impressive in the first quarter of the year and we need to do everything we can to ensure that businesses are growing here and across the country.”

Mr Falconer also said he’s committed to delivering better public transport in Lincoln and is working on a plan to get faster trains between Lincoln and Nottingham.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I think it’s quite unusual to be a city the size we are with such slow railtrack particularly towards Newark where it’s being slowed down by so many level crossings.

“I’m big supporter, publicly and privately, of connections between Lincoln and Nottingham where it’s very slow closer to Lincoln. With two great cities, two great castles, it’s time to go faster than 55km an hour between Newark and Lincoln.”

Mr Falconer added that he's 'committed' to securing the remaining funding to complete the North Hykeham Relief Road. The £200 million project would see a dual carriageway built between Lincoln’s Eastern bypass and the A46 Pennells Roundabout.

The project was thrown into uncertainty after the government failed to confirm if it will provide the full £110 million, which was originally promised, for the relief road to be fully completed. The new Reform UK administration at Lincolnshire County Council said it’s committed to providing £90 million in funding for the project.

Mr Falconer said: “As Lincoln’s MP, I’m completely committed to continuing to fight to ensure the North Hykeham Relief Road is completed. It’s vital that the final connection is completed, so I will continue fighting for it.”

A two-week enquiry into the legal orders necessary for construction to take place is currently ongoing.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service also asked the MP about how he balances working as an MP and as a parliamentary under-secretary for the Middle East. Mr Falconer said his number one ‘priority’ was serving for people in Lincoln.

He added: “I always remember that it was Lincoln who sent me to parliament first and foremost. The city is always on my mind and I try to make sure that I never forget whatever else is going on and I never forget who in parliament I’m meant to represent.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to have a job as important as both being the MP with Lincoln being the longest continuing constituency in the whole of the houses of parliament."

Mr Falconer also acknowledged that the rise in the hospital car parking charges at Grantham, Lincoln and Boston were frustrating for many people.

He said: “I’m conscious of how difficult carparking has been at Lincoln County Hospital for so many and what a source of frustration and stress it has been. I’ve spoken to lots of people in the city who’ve found that there is a limited availability of spaces in a source of frustration for patients and staff.”

He added that he would be speaking to United Lincolnshire NHS Trust about how parking could be improved for patients, visitors and hospital staff.

The MP went on to discuss the lack of dentists available to people across Lincolnshire. He said: “I want to see the medical school at the University of Lincoln taking on a training role for dentistry and oral health.

“That would really help us to start to grow professionals who can do this work locally. They’re much more likely to stay here.”

Mr Falconer concluded by acknowledging the concern of staff and students at the University of Lincoln following its financial difficulties. The university said it expects to cut 285 jobs to ensure that it remains financially sustainable.

Unison and the University and College Union have both raised concerns about impact of the job cuts on staff and students.

Mr Falconer said: “I’m concerned about the discussion of job losses in the city or anywhere else. I’ve been talking to everyone involved.

“I want everyone who comes to Lincoln to love it as I know so many students do and so many students choose to make the city home afterwards so obviously I don’t want to see a drop in the quality of the student experience.”