Although Parliament is in recess and we are well into the school holiday period, life and politics don’t stop!
With the first 100 days of the Coalition government behind us, we are beginning to see how our manifesto commitments work in practice and how policies evolve, taking into account unexpected turns of events and circumstances.
We have to take tough decisions which will affect everyone, but to do nothing and continue to be in denial would mean, in the end, even tougher decisions would have been needed to get the country back on its feet! These decisions impact on real peoples’ lives - a stark reminder was the news of the impact of the economy on 40 jobs at Dawlish Coaches.
This week I want to focus on what we have done or are going to do for the Health Service, Education and Law & Order.
A security future for our families
Our economic recovery is crucial but without social reform we will not feel we have a future to look forward to. For too long people have felt powerless and as if society can’t or won’t care.
That is why we will be introducing unprecedented reform of the NHS by sweeping away targets that have no clinical justification, stopping the centrally dictated closure of A&E and maternity wards, giving real power to GP’s and patients and cutting £1 billion pounds of bureaucracy, which can be spent where it is needed, providing front line services.
We are freeing up the police service, so more time is spent on the streets preventing crimes and making people feel safe, rather than back at the station filling in forms and reports. New Special Constables will swell police numbers. We also plan to restore discretion in charging decisions for minor offences to police officers.
But as well as streamlining and bringing common sense to the health service and local police forces, we need to ensure that parents at long last have real choice in how and where their children are educated. That’s why we are pushing forward the expansion of the academy programme and the new free schools programme.
Steps like these and others show that we are serious about giving the public both the authority and responsibility to help create the sort of society they want.
Out and about
Over the last few months I have been busy meeting, talking and listening to key groups in our local community, to find out their views and concerns. I have met with the Devon Primary Care Trust, Torbay Hospital, the Matron at Newton Abbot Hospital and Devon Doctors, to see how we can make the reforms work best for us all. I’ve also met with the Sure Start team in Dawlish and visited the Teignmouth Children's Centre at Teignmouth Day Hospital to hear about their needs.
I’ve met with Devon Youth and local schools, and was pleased to have been of help in sorting out a school transport problem. I was also on hand to assist when unfortunately the Teignmouth Community Association collapsed. Initiatives are now in hand to save Eastcliff and the Meadow centre. These are just the sorts of issues I want to be able to give help and support with as your local Member of Parliament.
I have been approached about a number of anti-social behaviour problems and am working with residents and local police to see what can be done. I have also met up with Chief Constable Stephen Otter to discuss a number of your concerns.
Being in Touch
Many of you have contacted me or attended one of my regular surgeries seeking my help with individual problems and concerns. I am continuing to hold public meetings and I am putting together a summary of your ideas on how our Government can save our money or spend it more effectively, which I will be sending to the Treasury shortly.
There is a lot more to do but we have made a positive start on taking the necessary action to change our country for the better.