This week started with two pieces of positive news which I know will be of interest to a great many people across the South West and beyond and with which I have had some involvement as an MP.

It is hard to look back over 2018 without the sense that it has been dominated by Brexit. This is not surprising given how many areas it affects and what a significant moment it is in our country’s history.

Great news this week as our excellent Avon and Somerset Police have made further progress in tackling the ‘County Lines’ drug problems that have affected Yeovil as they have many other towns across the country.

The Post Office is currently running some local consultations that I would like to help make people aware of, regarding changes to provision in Yeovil and Shepton Beauchamp.

The Palace of Westminster isn’t like a modern work environment in many ways and, whilst it is a privilege to be there, it does present certain challenges including a lack of meeting rooms and quiet spaces.

Last week I visited Rotterdam on a trip to look at port and related facilities there. As Europe’s biggest port, it has the effect of making the Netherlands our third biggest destination for exports after America and Germany.

Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh has welcomed the news that Yeovil Police Station is to remain open following refurbishment to keep a strong Police presence in the town centre.

Good news this week on a public health issue I have been interested in for some time. In response to a question in the House of Commons chamber I asked on Tuesday, health Minister Steve Brine announced a consultation with a view to introducing the fortification of flour with folic acid.

I was at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham for the first half of the week. I have been very critical of Conference season in the past as it takes up three weeks of the Parliamentary calendar just after the summer break and remains a little bit too corporate.

I think it’s important to pay tribute to our grass roots campaigners. Contrary to what some of my political opponents may falsely say, getting letters, emails and telephone calls from people in the Yeovil and South Somerset constituency is very welcome and central to my role as a representative.