MP's 1,500-plus responses in first 100 days

Gideon Amos, Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington, has reviewed his first 100 days in office in a special newsletter for constituents, revealing that he’s responded to more than 1,500 requests for help and advice.

Mr Amos won the seat from the Conservatives in July’s General Election, recording a majority of nearly 12,000.

The new MP’s newsletter reports on the wide variety of his work particularly on the need for a new maternity and paediatric unit at Musgrove Park Hospital, his recently launched Pension Credit campaign and his efforts to ensure the Wellington Railway Station project goes ahead.

Mr Amos said: “One hundred days have flown by since the General Election and there is much to reflect on.

“Our government seems to be at a crossroads. Promises were made about the future of this country, but in contrast it’s disappointing that more progress hasn’t been made.

“We must be ambitious in what we aim to achieve, and the Government should be bolder.

“We are still waiting to see how it plans to raise funds from the top 0.1%, the energy companies, and the big banks which continue to post record profits.

"This is at a time when many people are struggling to fund the care, health, cost-of-living and environmental priorities we put at the top of our manifesto and which guide my work, both locally and nationally.

“But it’s not all doom and gloom.

"By making carers the centrepiece of the Liberal Democrats' first full debating day in Parliament for 15 years, we won the promise from the Government of a review of Carers' Allowance overpayments - often the fault of central government - being clawed back from those who can least afford it.

“It's a carers overpayment scandal which hopefully we'll soon see come to an end.

“Being asked to speak for the Liberal Democrats on Housing and Planning is also a big opportunity for me to make sure the government listens to us in Taunton and Wellington who feel the planning system doesn't work for our area and that housing is out of reach of local people.

“I've also had the pleasure of visiting and hearing about so many amazing voluntary and other groups in Taunton and Wellington as well as trying to improve on my Parkrun average of around 31 minutes in Longrun Meadow each weekend!

"I'm delighted to have now appointed a small but well-qualified team of helpers so I can keep in touch with, and respond, to all the issues constituents raise with me.

“Working as one of 72 credible and hard-working colleagues and local champions on the Lib Dem benches, I will ensure that our real ambition for care and the NHS, to help people with the cost of living and to improve our rivers and environment is heard loud and clear with maximum influence in Parliament.

“While we ensure our opposition is always constructive, I’m never afraid to speak up for local people against the government of the day whenever that’s the right thing to do.”

You can see the First 100 Days newsletter in full by going to the MP’s website: www.gideonamos.org.uk