Foord: Improving local NHS services will be my priority
Liberal Democrat MP Richard Foord has announced he will stand for the new ‘Honiton & Sidmouth’ constituency at the next election, promising to make local health services his main focus if re-elected.
The ‘Tiverton & Honiton’ constituency is being abolished at the next election. Tiverton and Bampton are to join with Minehead and west Somerset, to elect an MP for ‘Tiverton & Minehead’.
Most of the current constituency, roughly 60%, will move into the new ‘Honiton & Sidmouth’ constituency. This will retain Honiton, Cullompton, Seaton, Axminster and surrounding villages, which are set to unite with Sidmouth, West Hill and Ottery St Mary to form ‘Honiton & Sidmouth’.
Mr Foord was elected to represent Tiverton & Honiton last June in a stunning by-election victory that sealed the fate of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and made Westminster sit up and take notice of the situation in East and Mid Devon.
Since then, Richard has been hard at work to give voters the diligent MP they deserve. Together with his team, he has held surgeries in all parts of the constituency, dealt with over 6,000 pieces of casework, and acted as a voice for local people in Parliament.
The announcement that he will contest Honiton & Sidmouth comes in the wake of the Somerton & Frome by-election in Somerset, which saw the Liberal Democrats overturn a large majority to win – showing the party is the main challenger to the Conservatives in the rural West Country.
Announcing his candidacy, Richard Foord said:
“It’s such an honour to represent friends, neighbours and so many great people from our part of Devon in Parliament. When I was elected last year, I promised to be something different and to bang the drum for Devon. Since then, we’ve made a real difference and sent a clear message that we will not be taken for granted.
“I believe that everyone deserves a strong local champion, acting as their voice in Parliament. This is what I like to think I have been over the past year and want to continue being – because there is so much that needs fixing.
“In spite of the brilliant people who work in the NHS locally, too many people are stuck on a long waiting list, can’t access dental treatment, or face hours of waiting for an ambulance to arrive. We’ve also seen our community hospitals hollowed out, losing beds that could be helping get people out of the RD&E.
“I have been listening to what experts and local people say will help address this. That’s why I’ve been calling for a Community Hospital Fund, have pushed for NHS dental contract reform, and lobbied for more support to cut waiting times in rural areas like ours.
“I am determined to ensure we still have a strong local voice standing up for people in our part of Devon. That’s why I will be standing for the new ‘Honiton & Sidmouth’ constituency at the next General Election.
“I will continue to work every day for everyone in Tiverton & Honiton, while also being a voice for people in parts of east Devon who also feel they’re being let down and taken for granted by this out of touch Conservative Government.
“Local people have a clear choice at the next election: more neglect, failure, and crumbling services with the Conservatives, or a strong local champion fighting to fix our NHS, bring investment to our towns and villages, and get you the fair deal you deserve with an experienced Liberal Democrat MP who has a record of action.
“I look forward to getting out and about over the coming months: listening to your concerns, hearing about your priorities, and showing why you can put your trust in me to represent you in Parliament. If you want to see things change for the better, consider supporting the Liberal Democrats and getting involved in my campaign.”