Doncaster's first Conservative MP for 60 years on free school meals, Covid-19 and levelling up

Nick Fletcher ousted high profile Labour MP Caroline Flint in the Don Valley constituency which had never elected a Conservative since the seat was first created.

Mr Fletcher was one of many success stories for the Tory party in breaking through in Labour strongholds dubbed the ‘Red Wall’. Don Valley’s turn to blue in particular was noted as the constituency includes many former mining communities.

He said that Brexit and the issue of the Labour leadership had helped the Conservatives secure the 80-seat majority and added he was ‘surprised’ at the warm welcome he received on the campaign.

“Lots of people were telling me that I was going to win but until I had the result, I was never going to admit it, it’s not my style,” Mr Fletcher said. "The feedback on the doorstep was extremely positive, visits to Thorne and Edlington in particular. I think people realised we were the only party that was going to get Brexit done. There’s been talk about have we got it done but we left on January 1 and we’re now in the transition.

“Over 66 per cent in Don Valley backed leave and four years later or so, people were still waiting for it to happen – they’re obviously frustrated. I was surprised at just how welcome I was and it was very good to see, I knew there was support for the Conservatives and the mood music had definitely changed.

“I understand the Red Wall and the mining communities but we need to move forward from that and the Brexit vote was the people’s way of saying that they had enough of the status quo. I think both Brexit and Jeremy Corbyn were issues on the doorstep, even those who didn’t agree with Brexit said they found it difficult to vote for Labour because of the leader.”

A quick turnaround saw Mr Fletcher on his way down to Westminster and said 18 hours days quickly became the norm.

The Brexit vote and then pushing the levelling up agenda for Doncaster became the next priority but that was quickly dashed as the Covid-19 pandemic took hold in March.

Mr Fletcher defended the Government’s record on Covid-19 and said he was ‘proud’ of a lot of things the party had done in ‘wrapping the arms’ around the country.

But he added there will have ‘been mistakes’ and inquiries will later take place.

“On people that have sadly lost their lives, lots will want to make comparisons and I’m not a person who does that. I’m not trying to shy away from that but I don’t think it’s particularly helpful.

“I think we’ve got a good Government but it doesn’t always make the right calls. It’s not for the want of trying. If they have made mistakes, they’ve been unintended because they do want to do the right thing. If you’re one of the people who have fallen through the net or is someone that has lost somebody then I know that will be hard to hear from an MP.”

But probably one of the more contentious issues he and others were caught up in was a vote to extend free schools meals over the summer. The Don Valley MP followed the party whip and voted against Labour’s motion.

He said it ‘didn’t look good’ but added it was ‘more PR than anything else’.

“It was an opposition day debate, I’ve explained this on my social media channels that it wouldn’t have achieved anything,” he said. "Labour did this for the sole reason for us to walk through to say no to free school meals. The council has been given money through the hardship funds to fund this.

“Doncaster Council decided to do a blanket free school meals policy, that’s their decision but it was central government money enabling them to do it. The Government had done free school meals during lockdown which was the right thing to do and prior to the vote we had been speaking to ministers about setting up breakfast clubs and activity days so it’s not just a case of giving children food it’s actually educating them keeping them occupied as well.

“The Government has done an awful lot of good but the communications have not always been what it should be. It was bad publicity, there is no reason for any child in this country to go hungry. Universal Credit was increased by £20 a weekend the furlough scheme has saved a lot of jobs which helps put food on the table. It didn’t look good but it was more PR than anything else.”

Mr Fletcher, a big advocate for investment and the Government’s levelling up agenda, was dealt with two blows from ministers after a bid for a new Doncaster hospital was rejected along with a train-link to Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

But added: “I’m proud of the fact I was the first MP to champion a new hospital down in Westminster and I managed to Matt Hancock to come up in that first month which was a proud moment.

“We’re not one of the initial 40 hospitals but there is the opportunity for eight elite hospitals and I’m continually having meetings with Matt Hancock on this, I will not stop campaigning for this.”

Looking forward to 2021, Mr Fletcher said it was important to get the borough healthy adding he will continue to push Government on projects like a new hospital, flood defences and the rail link to the airport.