LIBERAL Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey spoke to local farmers about national and regional issues facing the industry on his first visit to West Somerset since the election.

Rachel Gilmour, MP for the new Tiverton and Minehead constituency, welcomed Sir Ed to Dulverton Town Hall which was packed with local farmers from the Exmoor Hill Farming Network and the Exmoor Society.

The visit on Wednesday (October 2) was part of Sir Ed’s ‘listening tour’ of the South West where the Lib Dems had the most successful result in over 100 years, winning in 72 constituencies.

The Lib Dems sought to take down the ‘Blue Wall’ of Conservatives in the South West, with Mrs Gilmour ousting long-standing West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger with colleague Gideon Amos taking the Taunton and Wellington seat from Rebecca Pow.

Mrs Gilmour, a former director at the National Farmers Union, is said to have a “wealth of experience” in working with and for the rural community and some of the discussions centred around a number of key issues including the changing nature of British Farming, the difficulties with Environmental land management payments. More general queries specific to the West Somerset area were also discussed: young people retention, infrastructure, and transport links from coastal towns and villages to inland areas.

Mrs Gilmour said: “It is wonderful to welcome Ed Davey to Somerset today (October 2).

Sir Ed Davey and Rachel Gilmour MP
Sir Ed Davey and Rachel Gilmour MP (Sir Ed Davey and Rachel Gilmour MP)

“Both Ed and I have had constructive discussions with Somerset farmers and residents, speaking about local issues, and the Liberal Democrat plan to better support farmers and the natural environment.

“As your MP, I am eager to listen and then act upon your concerns to improve the lives of people in the constituency. Ed and I both want to express our gratitude to everyone who attended and shared their ideas. I now aim to deliver on these issues on behalf of you, the people of Tiverton and Minehead.”

The meeting also featured a contribution from Svitlana Hurska, a Ukrainian refugee currently residing in West Somerset. This led to a further discussion about the problems facing refugees, and the ways to better support those who now live in the UK.

The event concluded with a commitment from Mrs Gilmour to holding more regular consultations with local farmers and residents, including a weekly surgery in Minehead every Saturday, and a dedicated farmers’ surgery on a Friday every month at Cutcombe Market, to ensure that local voices continue to be heard.

During his visit to the region Sir Ed expressed concern over the state of the NHS and water quality - another contentious issue in Somerset - while in Teignmouth, Devon.

He said: “The NHS and care are top priorities for this parliament and beyond that and beyond that. The last ten years have been an utter disaster. There has been no stability and without stability you can’t plan anything.”

To find out more information about constituency surgeries, contact Rachel Gilmour’s team at [email protected], or call 07356 087010.