2025 has been very busy and has seen some real highlights with big steps in the right direction for both Taunton and Wellington.

My promise when I stood for election was that the government needed to prioritise resolving the lack of care for so many older and disabled people and getting the NHS up off its knees after the broken promises of the past (who remembers Boris Johnson saying Taunton would be getting an entire new hospital by now?).

This new government has got a lot wrong, especially when it comes to supporting our vital small businesses, but I have found them constructive and responsive when it comes to local health services.

After some intense pressure, they agreed to funding for a new maternity and paediatric unit at Musgrove Park, which is good news. The fact that it isn’t scheduled until 2033 is less good, to say the least. The government needs to move faster for our mums and midwives struggling in 30-degree summer heat and leaks in the roof in winter.

Similarly, the 2,000-plus responses to my dentistry survey really helped us get Wellington its new NHS dental practice.

Wellington is really on the up in many ways; the Kings Arms Community Hub is a massive success for our proactive town council there, Falcon Community Housing, volunteers like Cliff and so many others who make it work.

And even more intense campaigning, bringing in residents and other MP from across the region and cross-party, won us confirmed funding for Wellington Station. Work on the new access road is due to start next year!

For Taunton, following my commitment to bringing inward investment to this constituency (a case I have taken to investment events around the country), there is real evidence of an upturn.

Footfall in the town centre is up 2.1%, four times the national average increase of 0.5% and way ahead of the South West as a whole, which saw a decline in footfall. Somerset also attracted more new businesses in the first half of this year than any other part of Britain.

The Chancellor, in contrast, hasn’t given them anything to cheer about. The Lib Dem cut-to-VAT proposal, to boost an evening out as much as the High Street itself, was not among her pre-Christmas ‘gifts.’

Our High Streets deserve better. Having helped persuade the owners of the former Debenhams to put it on the market. I am continuing to work with and encourage investors to take it on and create something exciting for our county town.

Taunton Chamber of Commerce has credited my dynamic Lib Dem town councillor colleagues for the exciting programme of events the town centre has seen, including the Taunton Together music festival, which took over the town in September.

There are even more exciting things to come - I’m really looking forward to seeing The Nutcracker at the Brewhouse this Christmas.

In May, Taunton will see the birth of its very own ‘BlueTone’ jazz and blues festival featuring Ruby Turner, The Brand New Heavies, and Curtis Stiger.

For the summer, make a note in your diary for 31st August as Electric Summer takes place in Vivary Park, headlining our own Howard Jones along with Blancmange, Heaven 17, and the Southern Symphonia (doing Gershwin) - it’s going to be incredible!

However, before 2025 ends, let’s remember this is a hugely important time for our shops, hospitality, and small businesses - thank you to everyone who has committed to Taunton and Wellington by starting and running a business here. Let’s hope the government wakes up to the importance of business next year.

Moreover, I want to thank all our Armed Forces and emergency service workers who will be working over the festive period.

And, as I look forward to all the family coming together at our home, may I wish every reader a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year and I look forward to seeing many of you in 2026.