This week I had a useful catch up with our local Police and it was a good opportunity to flag the issues that people have raised with me recently. I know that there are very valid concerns about drugs and knife crime relating to County Lines gangs but the response including recruiting new officers and specifically targeting these networks is having a positive effect. I also raised the complaints I have been aware of about cars speeding and “boy racers” – if this is a problem in your area do get in touch with the Police or let me know and I can pass the information on. As always I am grateful to those on the front line and everyone supporting them.
The big news nationally has been that the first people have been vaccinated against Coronavirus, starting on Tuesday. I would emphasise what the Government and leading doctors are saying that this is not the time to ease up on the social distancing and other measures that have brought the rates of transmission under control. It will take time for the rollout to start to have an impact but as we protect older people, care homes and the NHS and then make the vaccine more widely available it is fair to see this as a really significant step in us getting back to normal life.
It is still going to be hugely important that we are all careful and respect the restrictions in place. I will keep making the case for Somerset to be moved to a lower tier as soon as possible to support our local businesses and hopefully give them some certainty over the coming year.
I have not always been completely in agreement with the Government on the response to the pandemic and have voted against some of the lockdown measures and their duration. However, few could deny that the process of ordering and testing vaccines has been very effective. It has always been useful to look at the strengths and challenges of other countries’ responses to this crisis but in this crucial aspect we are doing very well.
There have been concerns raised about whether vaccines will be compulsory and some sort of passport system introduced which is certainly not part of the Government programme. What I am pushing for though is for everyone to be given as much information as possible and for this to all be completely transparent so as to put people in the best position to make the right decision for themselves. Whilst vaccines will make a difference we also need to focus on widespread rapid testing so that outbreaks are quickly identified and contained. I hope that this week’s much needed good news also gives a real boost to our local businesses in the run up to Christmas.
As always if you would like my help with anything or to share your views please get in touch at marcus.fysh.mp@parliament.uk or on 01935 314321.