I was delighted and honoured to have been returned for the third time as Member of Parliament for Torridge and West Devon back in May, and I have enjoyed a busy few months since the election.
It is clear, from both the Queen’s Speech and the Chancellor’s visit to Torridge and West Devon earlier this year, that the next five years is set to be a positive time for the South West, and that delivering for the region will be a real priority for this Government.
Investment will be made to strengthen rural economies by securing the future of 3,000 rural post offices and providing near universal superfast broadband by the end of the next Parliament; to champion our farmers and food producers by developing a 25 year plan to grow more, buy more and sell more British food, liberate farmers from red tape and promote British food abroad; and to support our fishing and coastal communities by reforming the quota system to help the under ten metre inshore fleet and defending our hard-won Common Fisheries Policy reforms.
We will also see major investment in the region’s transport network with improvements being made to the A361, M5, A358, A30 and A303, and the electrification of the Great Western Main Line – bringing new faster trains to the area.
Closer to home the roads will also be a focus, which is why I have launched my Public Petition to the House of Commons on improving the maintenance of local roads. The issue has been raised with me time and time again over the past few months, and it is plain to see why as I traverse the country lanes between the many small settlements that characterise our communities.
For too long rural roads have been neglected and have been allowed to fall into a state of serious disrepair. I hope that by gathering as much support as possible we will be able to send a strong signal to ministers that action needs to be taken. I am hoping that as many people as possible will get involved; please check my website for more information on how to do this.
The next few years promise to be a time of opportunity for Torridge and West Devon, and for the South West as a whole, and I am very much looking forward to working with the Government to achieve what is needed.