The last few weeks, and years, have given politics a very bad name.
The revolving door at Number 10 Downing Street, ever more acrimonious public discourse, and rising levels of distrust in public office holders have done little to inspire the next generation of political leaders.
But every now and then – quite often if you put the work in – politics is a force for good, where real, tangible change can occur; bringing together people and ideas to make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.
Recently, I have made a start on one such change journey.
I hold up to ten surgeries a month across Tiverton and Minehead, to meet with my constituents face to face, and hear from them directly.
A few weekends ago, I met with one constituent, who raised with me their struggles with finding a clinical pathway for FND – Functional Neurological Disorder.
This was not an issue with which I had come into contact before this surgery but, as is often the way with my role, I quickly had to get to grips with it.
FND can present differently for different people, but for my constituent’s child, it includes tremors, muscle weaknesses, slurring speech, and a whole range of associated issues.
These issues have a profound and ongoing impact on how the child can live her life, but there is little awareness and not enough clinical understanding of FND.
There is an FND pathway within Somerset.
But despite living in Somerset, and with Musgrove Park Hospital as their closest hospital, my constituent’s child was blocked from joining that pathway because it is determined by postcode.
No access to proper support or advice.
Instead, they were given a website link and told to get on with things.
But my constituent’s child can’t ‘get on with things’.
School is a daily challenge, with attendance and academic progression all severely impacted.
Travelling to school is tough too, and once they turn 16, there is worry that the child won’t be able to go to a nearby college, meaning an arduous journey to Bridgwater or Taunton, adding hours to their day - hours that this child spends in pain.
As soon as I heard this story, I knew what I had to do.
I took the first opportunity I could find to raise this in the House of Commons, with the Leader of the House.
The question went viral in double quick time, showing just how many people up and down the country are affected by this condition, and how much the story spoke to them.
The Leader gave a very positive response, but I immediately followed up: deeds, not words, are what really count.
Whilst preparing for that question, I wrote to the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, asking why a postcode should stand in the way of a child in need, as well as writing to the Royal College of GPs about the apparent worrying lack of awareness and training available to GPs about FND.
I also wrote to the school my constituent wants their child to go to post-16, asking what options could be put together for a prospective student, to ensure the right levels of access can be provided.
All of this is a record of fighting for my constituents – and this is just one occasion.
I will keep fighting until I see a result on this case, just as I do with anyone’s case who walks through the door of my surgeries, or if you email my team.
Representing the people of Tiverton and Minehead remains the honour and privilege of my life, and I will keep working every day to prove to you just how much this means to me, and what lengths I am willing to go to on your behalf.
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