IN recent months in particular, it has become very clear that Taunton is experiencing an escalating number of social issues and other issues which people who live here are very concerned over.

This has been very evident, especially on your various social media pages in the comments and responses.

As a community, we should be able to turn to our MP to listen to our worries and be proactive in making a change. Likewise with the many larger issues that affect us both here and countrywide. 

However, it has become clear that our MP, Rebecca Pow, is only interested in issues that suit her own agenda and purpose and is only willing to involve herself in things that appease her supporters. 

Her Facebook page in particular is full of people asking why they haven’t had a response from her, people commenting that they have emailed her countless times only to be responded to with a copy and paste message saying she has not received an email.

Those are the lucky ones.

Many questions, comments and queries are left unanswered and many comments deleted, as well as the person being blocked. I am one of those people. 

I am polite, do not swear or use abusive or derogatory language but instead make my points concisely and clearly and with civility. 

Last week, following the vote regarding the changes in school meals, people wanted to know her reasons for voting in favour and many of those people were blocked from her page - even people who hadn’t commented were blocked! 

It seems impossible to get an audience with her unless she is sure of your support, it seems impossible to get an email response from her for the same reasons and now it’s impossible to convey any opinion via social media. 

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Meanwhile, Taunton continues to struggle, our voices are not being represented in parliament and people are becoming very aware that Pow is simply not interested in us.

Taunton is the county town of Somerset with a strong sense of community and we deserve so much more than an MP who is just in it for the title and photo opportunities. 

We need someone who is able and willing to talk to us, regardless of our personal political opinions, who is willing and able to be proactive and actually get stuck in to the issues that so affect our town and we deserve someone willing represent us, the people, rather than just those who suit a personal agenda. 

MELANIE HALLETT
Taunton