As Christmas is literally upon us, let me start by wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, and a healthy and happy New Year. I intend to do some serious relaxing with my family for a few days as this busy year draws to a close!
I know 2024 has been a difficult year for many. The cost-of-living crisis has proved persistent and deeply felt, and turmoil overseas and at home has created a sense of insecurity.
But 2024 has also been a year of change, and with that change a hope that a brighter future is just around the corner. Part of that change was my election here in South Devon, which marked the first time in 100 years that our area has not elected a Conservative MP.
The last six months have been a whirlwind, but looking back at the year now, I feel a sense of huge pride that I have been representing you and your interests in Westminster.
We’ve achieved a lot so far. The Liberal Democrats, as the biggest third party ever in Parliament, have firmly established themselves as the voice on health and social care, as well as on sewage and water quality – and we’ve seen the government respond as a result.
My team and I have handled over 5,000 personal and political issues for constituents and sent over 10,000 emails and letters to you or on your behalf, including over 30 letters to Ministers. I’ve participated in multiple Westminster Hall debates, joined the Education Select Committee and the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, and submitted or asked dozens of questions.
But while I’m proud of what we’ve done so far, I know there is still so much more work to do, and as we look ahead to 2025, I want to set out three key objectives for next year.
I hope next year the Government will finally tackle NHS dentistry. It’s unforgiveable how the previous Conservative Government allowed the situation to get so dire. Today, 1 in 6 people in Devon do not have a dentist, with NHS dentistry practically ceasing to exist in the county.
A broken system cannot be accepted as the status quo. Urgent action is needed, starting with reforming the dental contract to make NHS work more appealing to dentists. This is an issue I’ve already acted on – including by questioning the Minister on the timetable for reform.
I’ll continue to campaign on this issue next year. I’ll also continue to sit on the Education Select Committee in 2025. Since joining the committee in October, it’s been fascinating to hear from experts about ideas on addressing a range of challenges facing our education system.
The final objective I want to set for 2025 relates to NHS and social care. After 14 years of mismanagement from the Conservatives, many healthcare workers were looking to Labour to turn the ship around, but it’s been a mixed bag so far.
While the extra investment announced in the Budget was welcome, the decision to not exempt health and social care providers from the rise in employers’ NICs was deeply misguided. It’s taking from one hand while giving with the other.
Along with my Liberal Democrat colleagues, I’ll continue pushing the Government to introduce an exemption for health and social care providers, and to do our utmost to protect our NHS.
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