Over this last week, I’ve been all over the constituency - first in Port Isaac, where I met with residents alongside our prospective Councillor Rosie Moore for Wadebridge East and the rest of the team. During our doorstep conversations, we received an outpouring of positive feedback on our efforts so far to stop the seaweed farm developments, which have been surrounded by controversy for months now, mainly due to the complete lack of public consultation.

Lots of residents expressed just how angry they were to have been ignored, and I made it clear to each that I’ve been pushing for comprehensive reform of the Marine Management Organisation in light of these disastrous plans. I also met with the Minister just a few months ago to discuss this exact issue - because locals should always be properly involved in decisions that affect our coast. I also heard repeatedly about the ongoing shortage of local dentists, which is an issue I’ll be taking back to Westminster once again for further discussion on their behalf.

In Parliament, I was proud to show my support for Independent Age, an organisation doing remarkable work to help those in financial hardship secure their pension credits.

On another important note, the issue of the ‘family farm tax’ has been a major concern again this week. Since the inheritance tax rule changes for farms were announced in October, hundreds of farmers have reached out to me with their worries. Over 800 signatures from people here in North Cornwall have been collected on the latest petition alone, and I took the opportunity in Parliament to champion the cause of our Cornish farmers in a Westminster Hall debate.

The proposed family farm tax is set to raise approximately £500-million from changes to both Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, yet it will hit genuine family farms (those that have sustained our rural economy for generations) extremely hard. In stark contrast, our Liberal Democrat proposal to restore the Big Bank Levy would generate £4-billion. I urged the minister to change course before it’s too late.

I also raised the issue of public service funding in Parliament during a debate on the impacts of the government’s rise in employer National Insurance contributions In particular, I pointed out the need for more frontline police officers and bobbies on the beat, rather than more office administrators. I also called for the Police and Crime Commissioner role to be scrapped entirely. The planned increase in NICs is set to hit police forces, GP surgeries, and small businesses hard here in North Cornwall, and I called for a more balanced approach to ensure our communities remain safe and well-served.

Lastly, I held another surgery with constituents this week who had a range of casework I could help with. If you would like to get in touch to book a slot yourself, then please download my ‘surgery booking from’ from bit.ly/BenMaguireSurgery

Until then, take care!

Ben Maguire, Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall