Recently, my colleague Christopher Davies MP (Brecon & Radnorshire) invited MPs to view a new car made by a company in his constituency, just over the border into Wales.
The car is a prototype Hydrogen Fuel Cell car, designed to have a far lower carbon footprint than a conventional car – to avoid emissions that pollute the air and contribute towards climate change.
With government support, British companies like this one are leading the way in helping to build a sustainable future through technological progress, and I was keen to see this innovative new vehicle and hear more about how new designs like this can make a difference to the future of our environment.
The motor industry is an important part of the Northamptonshire economy, in particular the manufacture of high-tech car parts – which may well be used in this vehicle or similar vehicles in the future.
I know the environment is important to many people – and when I speak to residents in Northampton North people often tell me that this is something they support.
There is much work to be done in this area, but this Government has consistently pushed for measures to protect our environment, and I have always done what I can to support these – I have also been driving a hybrid electric car for quite a number of years now.