Snakes and Ladders: Navigating the ups and downs of politics by Andrea Leadsom

Author:Andrea Leadsom [Leadsom, Andrea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Biteback Publishing
Published: 2022-09-14T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

No one who witnessed the events of 14 June 2017 as fire engulfed Grenfell Tower in west London will forget what they saw that night. It was immediately apparent from the size and intensity of the blaze that the scale of the disaster would be horrendous. Seventy-two residents lost their lives that night, unable to escape the flames. Dozens more were injured, and many lost their homes and everything they owned.

The general election had taken place less than a week earlier, and the Prime Minister had given me a new job: Leader of the House of Commons. The Commons had not yet returned following the election, but naturally every MP wanted to express their deep sympathy for those affected by the fire, as well as to understand what would be done to provide support. The Speaker gave his permission to use Westminster Hall even though the House was not yet in session following the election, so that Alok Sharma, then Housing Minister, and Nick Hurd, Fire Minister, could provide an update for MPs. For several hours I sat through a harrowing discussion with parliamentarians of all parties. Many were moved to tears as we learned about the horror that Grenfell’s residents had faced.

After the debate, I returned to my office feeling I needed to do something. It was suggested I might wish to visit Grenfell. I wasn’t sure. Officially, I had no ministerial jurisdiction, but in my new role as Leader of the House, I could pay a visit to pass on the sympathies of Parliament and ask if there was any practical help I could provide. My office sought permission from No. 10 to pay a visit, which I understood was agreed.

Early next morning we set off – Ben, Luke, a private secretary and me. Many of the tenants were resting in a nearby community centre, and I went inside to meet them. It was a humbling experience. These were people who had lost everything; they had run for their lives and now, two days on, they were still in shock. I felt helpless standing among them. All I could say was: ‘We’re thinking of you, we’ll do everything we can, and is there something I can do now?’ People were still in shock, trying to piece together what happens now, some simply sorting through bags of donated items trying to find clothes that would fit.

Upstairs, I was introduced to a key member of the local residents’ association, who was devastated but also furious at the events of the previous forty-eight hours. I listened as he vented his anger about what had happened. He had been attempting to raise issues around safety at the tower for many years and felt he had never been heard. It was clear that appalling mistakes had been made, and given the trauma he had experienced, I could well understand his hostility towards those in both the local council and the government.

As I left the community centre, a TV crew was waiting with some devastated and furious residents and neighbours.

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