I’m excited to be writing my first Letter from Westminster, even if I am doing so while recovering from Covid! 

Many people have asked me why I would want to give up being a vet to go into politics. It’s a good question because practicing as a veterinary surgeon has been deeply rewarding. It is the perfect job for someone like me who grew up on a farm working with animals, but who really loved science at school.

Although it is a very satisfying job, it can be really tough. It may surprise you to learn that vets have a suicide rate four times the the national average.  

I’ve long been determined to help tackle this issue. So for the last seven years I’ve been a trustee of a mental health charity 

People going to their GP feeling suicidal may have to wait months for the specialist assessment and treatment they need. This needs to change. I have long campaigned for mental health to be treated with the same level of importance as physical health. 

When door-knocking, the mental health of children and young people whose education and development was affected by the pandemic is being brought up time and again by parents who are worried sick that their teenagers are waiting months or even years to access the support they need. 

Speaking of education, I went to a state school and I’ve had a hugely enjoyable and fulfilling career. 

However, many children today are not so fortunate. A record number of children growing up in poverty lack the opportunities I had. Had I gone to school hungry, it's unlikely I'd be writing this post as a veterinary surgeon, and even less likely as a Member of Parliament. Although these are complex issues with multifactorial causes, we can begin addressing them by providing free school meals.

While I will miss treating animals on a day to day basis, I hope to have a greater impact on animal welfare in Parliament than I ever could in clinical practice. I will push for a new Veterinary Surgeons Act to modernise veterinary regulation, support our farmers by protecting our animal welfare standards in trade deals, and promote policies to enhance animal welfare. 

When it comes to our natural environment and wildlife, I’ll be an MP who pushes the government to take the issue of climate change seriously, and who takes meaningful action to stop water companies from dumping sewage in our precious chalk streams.

I’ve been an MP for two weeks now, and I’ve got straight to work focusing on supporting our NHS. I had my first meeting at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester, where I met with the CEO of Hampshire Hospitals Trust and the Chief Medical Officer of the Integrated Care Board. 

I’ve also attended village fetes, the openings of the Hat Fair and Hampshire Food Festival, attended events at Sparsholt College and the Winchester Science Centre, conducted multiple media interviews, replied to dozens of emails from constituents, and I’ve started the process of recruiting staff for my constituency office.  

Thank you everyone who stops to speak to me (and take selfies!) when they see me around and about. I love our conversations, and I appreciate all your words of encouragement and support. 

People are desperate for a change in our approach to politics. This is a fresh start. It is the honour of my life to serve as your MP, and I want to thank the people of Winchester and Meon Valley for putting their faith in me – I won’t let you down.

Dr Danny Chambers MRCVS,
Member of Parliament for Winchester