IT’S important to me that I remain the voice of Taunton Deane in Westminster and the voice of Westminster here in Taunton Deane and that our fine democratic system can be seen working to its strengths in an open and transparent way, with ‘real’ people like me (having worked and brought up my family) getting engaged in the system.

Last week’s Parliament Week highlighted this well these things and helping to demonstrate that Parliament can be relevant to all, especially young people.

The Parliamentary Education Service is an excellent resource for teachers in this respect and runs courses to train teachers to become Parliamentary Champions.

One such local champion, Alison Holt, invited me along to her school, Hatch Beauchamp Primary, during Parliament Week to talk about my role as the local MP to some lively four to 11-year-olds.

They followed this with their own Parliamentary-style debate using the special box of props provided by the Education Service which included a miniature House of Commons mace, Speaker’s robes, despatch box and resource book.

I’ve been involved in my own high profile meetings, standing up for Taunton Deane in the lead-up to this week’s Autumn Statement.

During my meeting with the Chancellor and then with Local Growth Minister Andrew Percy I reiterated my case for investing in strong and sustainable local infrastructure including the A358/M5 junction 25 upgrades with Toneway/Creech Castle being the next pinch point to improve.

I’ve also had meetings with the Housing Minister to press for Taunton to get Garden Town status and with the Education Minster to press for a University of Somerset.

A funding contribution to the Wellington Monument was also on my list. These are all essential ingredients if we are to continue to realise the full potential of the area.

REBECCA POW
Taunton Deane MP