Serving as your Member of Parliament for the last nine years where I live and where I have brought up my family has been the privilege of my life. Over that time, we have achieved so much for our area but there’s still more to do. Huge progress has been made since I have been your MP. I have also been proud to be a Government Minister for much of this time which has in itself brought significant benefits for the constituency in being able to secure unprecedented investment locally as well as benefiting the area on key issues such as farming, the environment and water (securing the bathing water status on French Weir for example and large peat restoration schemes on the Somerset Levels.)
Conscious that money in peoples’ pockets is all important Government have taken sound action on the economy including bringing inflation down dramatically. This has enabled tax cuts for 28m working people - by reducing National Insurance by £900 for the average worker which has been welcomed by many in my conversations on the doors. The Government have also just announced ‘Triple Lock Plus’ which will cut tax for pensioners by increasing the personal allowance in line with the triple lock facilitating a tax cut of around £100 for 8 million pensioners.
Since being elected back in 2015 I have worked hard to ensure that your voices are heard in Westminster and delivered many projects benefitting our community. This includes the restoration of the iconic Wellington Monument where I secured the initial £1 million and thanks to tremendous input from a myriad of people over the years, the Monument is open once again for all to enjoy.
Retaining our precious Royal Marines at Norton Manor Camp mattered to so many of you and in 2019, following the comprehensive case I made to the then Defence Secretary, the future of the base was secured and acknowledged in writing by Lt Col Paul Maynard at the time. Contrary to leaflets being put out this was not achieved by my political opponents.
My pledge to upgrade Taunton rail station has been realised and similarly, I committed to bringing a rail station to Wellington; and thanks to my hard-working team, support from Government with over £5m, we are on track to deliver this but retaining me as our MP is critical to this.
Securing a complete rebuild for our valued Selworthy Special School has been welcome indeed. It arose out of the RAAC concerns and working with the school and the Education Department a complete upgrade has been agreed. I promise to see this through.
Ensuring local people get high-quality healthcare has been a priority from the get go and we’ve seen real progress: working closely with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust at Musgrove Park Hospital a new £11.5m surgical decision unit is already up and running and the £87m new surgical centre is being built right now. I’ve also secured commitment for a complete upgrade of the whole site by 2030 and have been working to fast forward the new maternity unit. I would not want to see this potentially jeopardised with a change of government. As usual, my local political opponents are calling for things already underway, while what I’m focused on is actually delivering.
If I am returned after the General Election, I will work to see projects that are underway through, as well as many wider initiatives I know will make our wonderful constituency an even better place to work and live. This includes ensuring our farmers are supported to provide the food we need and to restore nature; continuing to clean up our waters; building the homes we need, continuing my anti-social behaviour forum and providing the skills and training for the jobs of the future we are securing here thanks to a Government with a clear plan and clear action to deliver a secure future for us all.
