A week in politics is, as they say, a long time! As my last column went to press we were hammering out an agreement for coalition government. This is a truly historic moment. I am delighted to be part of a party that puts the country first. This coalition government has the real potential to deliver the economic recovery and growth that we so badly need.
Working in coalition
And that willingness to work together can make a difference to us here in Teignbridge. I approached Adrian Saunders last Friday to ask him if we could look at working together on some of the issues that affect our two neighbouring constituencies. Torbay and Newton Abbot both need the bypass. He was very willing to work together and we are meeting to discuss this and a number of other issues.
I have also been talking with some of my fellow West Country Conservative members about some of the regional issues we can address together – Water Rates being a case in point. With more than 80 per cent of voters represented in the West Country by this coalition, we should be able to get the West Country – and Teignbridge, back on the map.
Westminster – preparing for the House to sit
This week saw the election of the Speaker in the early part of the week. This has to happen before any business can be conducted in the House. After that, members came forward one by one over the days that followed to swear or affirm their allegiance at the dispatch box – including me! Next week will see the House move into full swing with the Queens Speech and subsequent debate.
Constituency work
I am delighted by how many people have got in touch to ask for help with a problem, give me their views on the policies agreed in principle by the coalition government and their thoughts on future legislation. My surgeries over the weekend in Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Dawlish brought a variety of cases which I am now working on. I also took the opportunity of getting out in the constituency to knock on doors to see what people wanted to see me address as a priority. I visited Buckland in Newton Abbot on Friday and was delighted by the welcome I got. The top topic for discussion was the coalition!