21/05/10 - Stratton Outlook Monthly Article, June

I’m really proud to have been elected as North Swindon’s new MP on May 6, with one of the largest swings in the country.  As a fellow local resident, I will do everything I can to be a real positive champion for our town. On the same day, I’m delighted that three Conservative councillors were elected in this area.  Cllr Mark Edwards was re-elected in St Margaret, and we also welcomed two new councillors: Janet Heenan in St Philip and Richard Hurley in Covingham & Nythe.  I look forward to working with them, all the local councillors, Parish Councils and residents for the benefit of this area and Swindon as a whole.

 My five priorities as North Swindon’s MP all reflect my desire to be apositivechampion for the town:

 1.  I want to be a highly visible, approachable and effective MP for my fellow local residents.  In my decade on Swindon Borough Council, I was able to campaign effectively for local people, working all year round to make a positive and constructive difference to the area I represented. 

2   I’ll be a cheerleader for Swindon,  promoting the town to external organisations to secure extra funding.  In these difficult times we need to be more clever about how we access money to make sure Swindon gets what it deserves.  The public purse will not provide everything any more.  I will talk to any business, organisation, government department or voluntary group who might be able to help.

3.  Swindon needs new employment opportunities for local people, so I’ll be working hard to promote the town as a good place to do business.  As new residents move to Swindon, so we have to persuade new employers to do the same.

4.  I want to take the lead in bringing together the very best people, organisations and community groups to help improve Swindon.  Quite often, simply getting the right people together in the same room can pay huge dividends.

5.  Last, but definitely not least, I will work hard to make the regeneration of Swindon town centre a reality.  There are ambitious plans ready to roll, but they’ve been thwarted by the downturn in the economy.  As things improve, Swindon will be well placed to reap the benefits, helping to kick-start a recovery in our local economy.

As we speak I am trying to organise a constituency office and staff.  I will be seeking to share these with Robert Buckland the South Swindon MP.  This will allow us to secure a more central and accessible location, pooled knowledge and expertise and help bring down the costs.  As soon as these arrangements are in place I will fully publish the details.