Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 20th July 2022) below:
Leadership
The old saying goes “a week is a long time in politics” and this week seems an especially long one.
As I write this column five contenders are still vying for the leadership of the Conservative Party, by the time you are likely to be reading it the contest will be down to the final two who will go to a ballot of all party members.
This contest has been the most open for many years and the most diverse ever. The next Prime Minister may either be the UK’s 3rd female Prime Minister or our first one from a BAME community. It is a positive sign of our nation’s promise of opportunity to all, something which has featured heavily in the leadership debate.
I indicated to candidates I was considering supporting I would like the chance to speak with them ahead of the first vote, focussed on why they thought they were the right person to be Prime Minister and their offer to our bay. The reason for doing this is Boris has always been available to MPs with urgent issues in their constituency, I therefore wanted to test out how candidates would react. If this type of engagement was not arranged when there was a clear personal incentive for them to do so, would they do the same as PM when our bay’s needs were on the line?
After a positive discussion with several candidates on how we best regenerate our Town Centres, tackle the cost-of-living crisis, reform our planning process, support Ukraine, deliver the planned investment of up to £350m due for Torbay Hospital and create affordable homes, I decided to vote for Liz Truss.
NHS
Our NHS is facing a range of pressures which have been reflected in the feedback I am receiving from residents.
One particular concern has been waiting times for ambulances and for minor injury services at Torbay Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED). Whilst Covid may not be in the headlines, it is still putting pressure on our NHS, not just in terms of backlogs, but staff having to stay off work and patients entering hospital.
It was helpful to meet with the Hospital’s Chief Executive to reflect on what progress is being made and any further support they need. Torbay Hospital’s £15m new Acute Medical Centre, which will replace and expand the current ED facility, is starting to be brought online and will be fully operational over the winter.
There are other steps which were suggested which would help make a difference, including tackling fuel costs for staff who commute, which our next Prime Minister will need to tackle.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Friday 29th July 10am till 12noon at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD and Saturday 20th August 11am till 1pm at Preston Baptist Church, 62 Old Torquay Rd, Paignton TQ3 2RB
For an appointment you can either email me at [email protected] or leave a message on 01803 214989, surgeries are for personal queries from residents they would like me to help them with, rather than a wider policy debate. There are also drop-in sessions at my office 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD between 10am & 1pm Monday to Friday where a member of my team will be available to help with any queries.
