Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Torbay Weekly and you can read the latest edition (Published on Thursday 11th August 2022) below:
Leadership
Parliament is in recess, so the last fortnight had been planned as a chance for a break for Hazel and I, ahead of spending the rest of August working here in the bay. Yet with two bids to be submitted to secure needed levelling up cash for our bay, cost of living pressures and the Conservative Party leadership election underway there was plenty to do.
Both leadership candidates were in South Devon last week, with Anne-Marie Morris and Myself welcoming Liz Truss to our region given our support for her campaign. The leadership election has been a chance to push both candidates on key issues which affect our region from housing pressures to support for key projects such as the up to £350m of investment pledged under the Health Infrastructure Plan for the services provided by Torbay Hospital. It has also been welcome to hear commitments towards continuing the levelling up agenda and delivering regeneration zones to stimulate economic growth across the UK.
Our nation cannot tax its way to prosperity, so I am backing Liz Truss as the candidate who has a strong track record and, having worked with both candidates in government, the clearest ability to unite a team behind a programme of delivery for our nation. Yet whatever the result of this contest the UK will have a Prime Minister who will stand up to Vladimir Putin and defend the people of Ukraine.
Energy
After 46 years powering our region last week Hinkley Point B closed off its second reactor.
Hinkley Point B was connected to the grid in February 1976 and since then has generated enough electricity to meet the needs of every home in the Southwest for 33 years. The plant had originally been scheduled to close in 2016 but was extended for another 6 years.
Six years ago, I supported getting the construction of Hinkley Point C underway. The decision was controversial at the time, yet in the light of rising prices and Putin using energy supplies for leverage it now seems the obvious step to have taken.
Lionesses
The lionesses have done our nation proud, yet they could only do this due to the long overdue investment in women’s football which has started in recent years.
One thing we can all do to help build future success for the Lionesses is to not only support them in major tournaments, but to make time to back our local women’s teams, especially Torquay United Women FC. Growing support at the grassroots level will be key to creating the world beating women’s teams of the future.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Saturday 20th August 11am till 1pm at Preston Baptist Church, 62 Old Torquay Rd, Paignton TQ3 2RB and Friday 26th August 10am till 12 Noon at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD.
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, such as housing or welfare, 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.
