It’s been a significant week in Parliament with the vote of confidence in the Prime Minister.
The Sue Gray report highlighted a number of failings, both official and political. I know many constituents are rightly dismayed and angry with what happened in Downing Street and across Whitehall during the pandemic when others across the country were making personal sacrifices, following the range of varied rules throughout and I have made this clear to the Prime Minister and his officials.
It is right that the Prime Minister has taken full responsibility and has renewed his fulsome apology in recent weeks. The erosion of trust this issue has caused must be fixed and I know people will rightly expect to see this happening urgently. The significant changes that have already been implemented and those currently underway across Government will be crucial in this endeavour.
Having achieved a majority vote on Monday, I believe it’s important now to pull together and get on with continuing to deliver for the country with a sharpened focus on strengthening the economy supported by the comprehensive training and skills agenda already in train to deliver more and better paid jobs. I continue to support the Government in fulfilling these ambitions.
I am proud of the government’s achievements since 2019, delivering on key manifesto commitments as well as delivering the vaccines we need and the fastest booster rollout in Europe during the pandemic and providing early and ongoing support to Ukraine. Supporting those facing challenging cost of living pressures is of course vital as well as work to drive forward the environmental and renewable energy sector that are critical to our sustainable future.
Locally I am proud that working with Government I have represented the local community & working with stakeholders have delivered a range of projects including: new theatres for Musgrove Park Hospital; £14m of high street development in Taunton;; the Taunton Rail Station Upgrade & the restoration of the Wellington Monument. And I continue to work to deliver projects that will benefit our economy here including the A358 upgrade, the whole hospital upgrade and a rail station for Wellington. My focus day-to-day continues to remain the same as it has since I was first elected back in 2015, delivering for Taunton Deane.
