FOR some, political conference season may have felt like a world away from South East Cornwall. It’s a time when all political parties hold their own events, but it may not always seem clear why they are important for the country and our local area. So, I wanted to share some of the work I have done to ensure that issues that matter to local people are carefully listened to.

I will take any opportunity to bring South East Cornwall’s voice to the national stage, and the Labour Party Conference gave me the chance to do exactly that. Being in the same place as Ministers, businesses, and organisations from across the country meant I could raise South East Cornwall’s priorities directly with people who can help unlock investment, support local businesses, and make sure that the opportunities being discussed nationally include our communities too.

Babcock operates in Devonport, and I met with their CEO to speak more about the opportunities for South East Cornwall. It’s so important that we secure investment because 23 per cent of Babcock’s workforce at Devonport lives in South East Cornwall. Improving infrastructure such as transport is needed to support the major investment being made into the site. I’ve seen first-hand the difference that having high-skilled apprenticeships close to home can make, and the investments coming into Devonport will truly support our young people to thrive.

Conference is also an opportunity to highlight some amazing local success stories such as the Eden Project. It was great to see them in Liverpool, showing the rest of the country what we are all about in Cornwall, and we spoke more about the great projects they have planned for the future. Although it’s just outside of South East Cornwall, I know that many of us will have fantastic memories of family trips to the biomes and brilliant live acts at the Eden Sessions. The team were able to meet with so many different people to put their case forward for future growth, and I’m supporting them every step of the way.

But being at conference doesn’t mean that big news isn’t happening at home. It was announced that South West Water had been fined nearly £8-million for spills that it had allowed to happen over many years, including in Polperro. I met with them to discuss what this meant for customers. Shareholders, not customers, are paying this fine, and I also demanded that they clearly communicate the projects happening in our area. I’ll continue to use these meetings to raise local incidents so that they know the real effects they are having on people in South East Cornwall.

So, my Labour Party Conference was all about the issues that matter to us in South East Cornwall: unlocking economic growth, championing fantastic businesses, and continuing the fight to clean up our waterways. These are just a few examples of the work I was doing, and bringing South East Cornwall to the national stage will always remain my focus at these events.