In the last week the newspapers have been dominated by events in the Labour Party and soon all the political parties will go to have their conferences around the country. At times like this it is important for the Government to stay focussed on what they set out to do and to stay proactive, not reactive. It is fair to say that the political landscape is even more turbulent than usual at the moment but locally and nationally we have a clear sense of what needs to be achieved and will stick to delivering on it.
A lot is being written about parties moving to the left or right, occupying the centre ground and making lots of strategy for the coming months but these labels can become a bit meaningless when it comes to how actions affect people outside of Westminster. Last week we came a step closer to ensuring we have a referendum on Europe and whilst there was some discussion about some of the finer points of the process, it is not a right wing or a left wing thing to say that the people should have a say. There will be some real clashes of ideas in the future over issues like welfare and defence spending and I look forward to these as an important part of the process.
Whilst all this goes on it’s still my job to represent the Yeovil constituency. Last week I spoke in a debate on road safety around schools and raised the specific issue of road safety around a school in Brympton, off Stourton Way. I asked Andrew Jones, the Roads Minister what steps can be taken at national level to ensure that existing and new developments are subject to appropriate measures, including signage, near schools. I shall be following up with him in due course, as I will about a number of other issues – in fact I am sure I shall be spending a lot of time with Mr Jones in the coming months.
Starting on September 24th I shall be taking a few days to make an intensive tour of the constituency and I am very much looking forward to it. I’ll be going to a different area each day and meeting up with many of the local councillors too so it’ll be an opportunity to look at some local issues of interest. I have been having weekly advice surgeries in our towns to help constituents with their problems but it will be good to visit some of the villages as well and also to thank some of the people who voted for me in May. Please do call my office on 02072194527 or email [email protected] if you would like more details about these days.
Marcus will be at the following locations on the following dates:
Thursday 24th September - South Chard, Buckland St Mary, Wambrook
Friday 25th September - Wyndham Park, Yeovil, Dowlish, Ilminster, Horton Cross
Saturday 26th September - Yeovil, Hinton St George, Dinnington, Shepton Beauchamp, South Petherton
Monday 28th September – Crewkerne, North Perrott, Haselbury Mill, West Coker, East Coker