It’s been a really tough week for Yeovil Town Football Club and we need to start rebuilding and getting back to where we should be. Professional sport now can have a huge amount going on off the pitch but it’s results that count and we have just fallen short on those. A bit of luck and a few more goals could have made things look very different. As things stand though, I hope we can all stay united in the journey back and put any differences aside. One of the things I often speak to Government Ministers about is sports for young people and what we can do to develop local facilities, and I hope that can be the future in Yeovil as well as our other towns and villages.
Really good news this week that we have a clear plan for Yeovil Police Station and that we are keeping that site and presence in a central location. Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford is doing a great job. High Streets across the country are facing challenges as people shop online but making sure they are attractive places where you can meet friends or have lunch or dinner is going to be central to their future and tackling anti-social behaviour and crime is vital for that. One of the first campaigns I got involved with as an MP was keeping that Police presence in Yeovil and it is great not just to have that but also to look at developing the site as a hub for Police operations for years to come.
MPs are back in Westminster this week and whilst that means long hours and late night votes in London it’s always an honour to represent Yeovil and South Somerset there. There are still lots of ways in which the Government is helping with the increased cost of energy and other things – do get in touch if you would like any help with accessing that.
Finally it is good news that so-called Smart Motorways are being reviewed. With roads and traffic there is always a lot of data and analysis but it seems clear that this system is having a mixed impact on driver confidence. While we don't have any right on our doorstep it is something local residents raised with me and I discussed with Ministers so I am pleased with the news. It is perhaps an example of a well-intentioned idea that has needed more thought in practice but also a good example of a Government that listens.