Christmas
First and foremost, I do hope everyone has enjoyed the festive season as much as I have!
I believe it is important at this time of year to recognise the incredible efforts of all those who work for our emergency services. Many of our police, ambulance, fire and hospital workers have been putting in long shifts over the festive period in order to keep us all safe and healthy. I went to meet with staff and patients at Newton Abbot Hospital on Christmas Eve, and in both Dawlish and Teignmouth hospitals on Christmas Day. I have to say all those on duty really were a credit to their profession. It was a privilege to spend part of my Christmas with them.
Although Christmas is a time for celebration for the vast majority of us, it is important to remember that, for some, the festive period can be challenging. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank those who work or volunteer in a capacity that sees them providing essential help and support to others. I applaud what you do and I will continue to do everything I can as a Member of Parliament to support you. On Christmas day I dropped in on a number of Christmas lunches being organised by local village and town communities for those on their own at Christmas, to wish one and all a happy Christmas and to thank volunteers who had given up their day to help others.
Finally, we should raise a toast this festive season to our brave armed forces serving overseas. I am sure everyone will join me in wishing them and their loved ones all the very best.
Looking Back
As we approach 2011, I find myself, as I expect a number of you do, reflecting on the year we are about to say goodbye to. As far as I am personally concerned, 2010 will always be remembered as the year when the people of the Newton Abbot constituency elected me to serve as their representative in the House of Commons. To be entrusted with such a privileged and responsible duty is a real honour and I will continue to work hard for all my constituents in order to try and repay the faith you have shown in me.
Since my election back in May, I have spoken in 33 debates. Given there are 650 of us trying to catch the Speaker’s eye to speak that’s not bad going! I have used my contributions to raise the issues which you have identified in your many letters and emails as important to you and to our community. As a result, I have demanded fairer water bills, supported our local tourism industry and stood up for our excellent youth services. I have highlighted to Ministers in the House of Commons during Question Times the need to invest in our broadband infrastructure, the importance of ensuring our schools receive fair funding and the need to start work on improving flood defences in Teignmouth. I have used Written Questions to quiz Ministers on the need to improve access to finance for local businesses, retain local healthcare services and introduce measures to address rural poverty. I have also worked in collaboration with local legal professionals to successfully keep Newton Abbot Magistrates Court open, and alongside local and regional representatives in order to keep putting the case in favour of the Kingskerswell bypass.
It has therefore been a busy political year for me. The highlight as far as I am concerned however was in November when I successfully secured an Adjournment Debate in Westminster Hall in order to discuss the future of our coastal railway line. We are blessed to have what many consider to be the most beautiful stretch of railway line in the whole of Europe running through the constituency. It is however an expensive line to maintain and there has been speculation in some quarters that the Government should refocus its energy on building or re-opening an alternative line elsewhere in Devon. Such a move would be devastating with so many dependent on our railway line for their livelihoods. I felt the issue needed to be discussed openly in Parliament and that is why I secured the Adjournment Debate. I am delighted the Minister gave me assurances in the debate that our coastal railway line will remain the main way of travelling by train between Exeter and Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall and the South West to the rest of the UK. There cannot now be any doubt that the future of rail in the South West includes our beautiful coastal railway.
I would like to finally wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011.
Getting Together In 2011
My first surgery of 2011 will be held on 8th January at 10.00am in the Courtenay Centre (Newton Abbot). I will also be holding a surgery on the same date at 12.15pm at Kingsteignton Community Centre. Please telephone 01626 368277 if you would like to book an appointment for either surgery, or if you need help with an issue that cannot wait until the next surgery