Campaigns
Exciting News: Joining the National Lib Dem Mental Health Group to Shape Policy
I am delighted to announce that I have been selected to join the newly established Mental Health Policy Group by the National Liberal Democrats party. This initiative presents a vital opportunity to address the pressing mental health challenges faced by our communities in Somerset and across the UK. As a Parliamentary candidate and Deputy Chair…
Read More“What has Somerset Council ever done for you, apart from what we do?”
Yesterday, during the Full Council meeting of Somerset Council, I responded to the annual report on Public Health. Below is what I said, along with some additional notes. Recently, I heard the remark: “What has Somerset Council ever done for you, apart from what we do?” Public Health is a crucial aspect of the Council’s…
Read MoreDoes Somerset Need a Dry January?
Somerset is home to an estimated 5,202 individuals who are alcohol-dependent, with approximately 80% (around 4,000) having unmet treatment needs. While we should approach this figure with caution, national trends suggest it may actually be an underestimate. Alarmingly, alcohol-related hospital admissions in Somerset are higher than the national average, particularly among women under 40. One…
Read MoreWorking together to save lives on our roads
I was invited to a Road Safety Forum organised by Avon and Somerset Police & the Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody yesterday evening, along with the families of road collision victims, Councillors/Officers from Bristol and Somerset and road safety charities. We discussed ways of working together, across the region, to save lives on our…
Read MoreParliament to discuss Pawlett Hams – an empowered community that is a beacon for other communities
On Oct 9th, there will be a Parliamentary debate about the environmental impact related to EDF and Hinkley Point C’s wish to make a change to their Development Consent Order (DCO). EDF Energy secured planning consent for the power station back in 2013, with construction beginning three years later. EDF is now seeking to make changes…
Read MoreWe need to talk: World Suicide Prevention Day
A recent poll* found that only 45% of people feel comfortable talking to family and friends about suicidal thoughts, compared to 74% who said they feel comfortable talking about mental health. World Suicide Prevention Day is a chance to change this. By talking more openly about suicide, we can give people the chance to express…
Read MoreSaving Pawlett Hams, a community campaign in the spirit of David and Goliath!
It seemed a mammoth task to get EDF to reconsider its plans for a giant saltmarsh at Pawlett Hams near Bridgwater. A saltmarsh that would have destroyed aquatic eco-systems and natural habitat, wildlife homes, as well as ancient farmland, businesses and valued community space for local people and school children. EDF have listened, backed down…
Read MoreConfusion and uncertainty over EDF’s saltmarsh plan at Environment Agency “stakeholder” event
Yesterday, there was confusion and uncertainty over EDF’s plans to create a new saltmarsh at Pawlett Hams, near Bridgwater, replacing and destroying aquatic eco-systems and natural habitat, wildlife homes, as well as ancient farmland, businesses and valued community space for local people and school children. Many local people hastily attended the event hosted, with just…
Read MoreSuicide Prevention Work in Somerset Update
When I joined Somerset Council’s Adults and Health Scrutiny Committee, in 2022, I asked that suicide prevention was added to the work programme. Last week we had an update on a new (draft) Somerset suicide prevention strategy that is supporting a new national strategy, which was launched September last year. The draft strategy draws on…
Read MoreThank you
Dear friends I wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who supported and believed in me. I am very sorry I didn’t get the outcome you all deserved. This has been one of the biggest challenges for me, but also one of the best experiences of my life. I wanted to be MP…
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