Kevin wrote his first column for the Herald Express this week as Torbay's new MP and it is copied below:
It is a great honour to be elected as your MP and I would like to thank all those who voted for me.
It is safe to say that the election was one of the hardest fought in a generation meaning success for myself, but disappointment for others, including my predecessor Adrian Sanders.
I have every respect for Adrian and we get on well personally during the campaign even though we disagree. The result last week had more to do with the party rosette on his lapel, than the heart he wore on his sleeve when representing our area. I wish him the very best for the future.
A Fresh Approach
Now the election is over my duty is to all residents, regardless of their political opinion and whether they voted for me or not.
These regular columns will be about reporting back on what I have done in Parliament or giving my view on issues that directly affect the bay, rather than scoring party political points.
During the campaign I promoted My Plan for Torbay, a six point action plan of issues I would prioritise tackling as the MP. These were 1) Better road and rail links, 2) giving our children the best start in life, 3) Integrated and accessible health and social care for all 4) Revitalising our town centres, 5) Torbay to become known as a hi-tech silicon bay and 6) Affordable and accessible homes for local people.
Our bay has a natural beauty that other areas are envious of, yet about 25% of those working here do not earn a Living Wage and we have one of the lowest average incomes in the South West Region. Too many of our brightest and best talents may sadly see the new Link Road as a good way out, rather than into the bay, unless we build up our year round economy and create more skilled opportunities.
Working as Team Torbay
A fresh approach is also needed to the relationship between the Council and the MP.
When first selected I was clear that as the candidate & MP I am not bound to support decisions of my party’s group on the Council or the Mayor and reserve my right to speak out when I think they are going in the wrong direction, as I did in relation to the Leonard Stocks Centre and the ERTC.
Yet at the same time it is right that there is a partnership approach when it comes to lobbying on issues at a national level or securing funding for our bay. If we are arguing amongst ourselves rather than presenting a united front, we only help other areas benefit instead. The small number of meetings in the last four years between the Bay’s MP and the Mayor is not good enough, regardless of who was to blame.
I will be offering monthly meetings to the Mayor and Council Leaders (Including the Leader of the Opposition) to discuss matters that we can jointly work on for the benefit of the bay, with some sessions held at Westminster to ensure key decision makers can be invited to join us.
Getting To Work Quickly
Whilst the House of Commons is yet to meet for the first time since the election I got to work quickly with my first speaking engagement as the MP being at 9am last Saturday Morning at Kent’s Cavern, followed by my First Surgery at 10am and then Paignton RBL’s VE Day Street Party in Palace Avenue.
I have received a very large amount of correspondence via e-mail and Social Media since being elected. I am working through what I can, but am in the process of setting up my constituency office to handle casework and diary requests.
I will be covering the surgeries advertised by my predecessor this month and will publish details of future surgeries and drop in sessions soon.
If you need to get in touch just give my team a call on 07985 446 803 or e-mail Kevin@kevinjfoster.com. You can also write to me: Kevin Foster MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
A Weekly Update From Your MP
Since June 2013 I have run a weekly update service via e-mail that covers local news and events, along with the work I am doing.
It operates under a no party political point scoring rule and 2,800 people receive it each week. If you would like to be added to the list just e-mail me at kevin@kevinjfoster.com with “Subscribe” in the subject box. I do not pass on details of subscribers to third parties, including my own political party.
Finally if your church, charity, community group or residents association is doing an event that you would like promoted in my updates, just let me know.