Richard Foord: Our local area deserves better
This week, I announced that I will be contesting the 'Honiton & Sidmouth' constituency at the next General Election. This has not been an easy decision, but the upcoming boundary changes mean that the 'Tiverton & Honiton' patch that I was elected to represent will disappear. It will be replaced by a constituency that covers most of the area that I currently represent; Honiton & Sidmouth.
The new 'Honiton & Sidmouth' seat will cover Honiton, Seaton, Axminster, Cullompton, Ottery St Mary, West Hill, and Sidmouth. It will include tens of villages too. This is a large area but, given I already have the honour to represent roughly two-thirds of this new patch, I am determined to keep being a strong local voice for our towns and villages.
I believe that everyone deserves a local champion, acting as their voice in Parliament. That's why as your MP I've worked hard to be outspoken for our part of east Devon, raising your concerns directly in Parliament that you may have raised with me via surgery appointments, correspondence, or on your doorstep. This has not always been easy, particularly given that Conservative Ministers have been chasing urban votes in the Midlands and the North of England.
I am standing to continue representing Honiton and the surrounding area, because rural and coastal areas have issues that are particular to places like ours. Years of Conservative neglect and mismanagement have left us worse off and paying the price for their mistakes. We've seen mortgage rates hit record highs and interest rates soar because of their reckless decisions, leaving us to pick up the tab.
One key area that has also suffered has been our local NHS and healthcare services. Over recent years - despite many brilliant people who work in the NHS locally - we've seen our services being hollowed out and cut to the bone. This is leaving hardworking staff unable to deliver the care they want to, and that local people need.
Far too many people are stuck on a long waiting list for an operation, cannot access NHS dental treatment, or face hours of waiting for an ambulance to arrive in an emergency. Waiting lists for operations are not only bad for the individuals concerned, but they are also bad for the economy, because people who are unable to work owing to injury or ill health are unable to contribute to the economy.
We've also seen our community hospitals – which have in the past provided such valuable local services - lose beds that could be helping get people out of the RD&E and back into the community.
I have been calling for a Community Hospital Fund, have pushed for NHS dental contract reform, and lobbied for more support to cut waiting times in rural areas like ours. Yet all of these ideas have been rebuffed by this out of touch Conservative Government, who would rather talk than take real action.
You have a clear choice at the next election: more neglect, failure, and crumbling services with the Conservatives, or a strong local champion fighting to fix our NHS, bring investment to our towns and villages, and get you the fair deal you deserve with an experienced Liberal Democrat MP who has a record of action.
Over the past year I've worked hard to repay the trust you placed in me. I will continue to be a tireless advocate for the area, working to unlock our full potential.
More immediately, I look forward to joining celebrations of the Honiton Charter Day on Saturday. See you there, perhaps.
Read more of Richard Foord's articles and news:
Honiton and Tiverton MP launches summer tour of East Devon communities
'I look forward to working with the newly elected councillors': MP Richard Ford's latest column
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