Senior MP to take Cornwall chair
Matthew Taylor, MP for Truro & St Austell for the last twenty years, has been asked to chair the five-strong team of Liberal Democrat MPs in Parliament in the run up to the next General Election.
The Cornish Liberal Democrat MPs integrate their efforts to lobby Government and campaign for reform, a team approach unique in Westminster.
Mr Taylor first set up the team in 1989 when he was Cornwall’s only Liberal Democrat MP, working with Parliamentary candidates and local Liberal Democrat councillors. Over the past 20 years it has grown to all five Cornish seats, following Julia Goldsworthy’s election for Falmouth and Camborne in 2005.
The joint campaigning has resulted in success for Cornwall’s Objective One bid, completion of major road improvements including the A30 at Goss Moor, substantially increased Government investing, recent improvements to Out of Hours Health Care, and anticipated reform of South West Water bills. Mr Taylor says the Team for Cornwall is currently prioritising a solution to unaffordable housing, and the protection of the rural post office network, as well as fairer water bills.
Mr Taylor commented:
“This is a very exciting and challenging time for the Parliamentary Team for Cornwall. Working together we have proved a force to be reckoned with, as we showed when our joint efforts forced SERCO to make Out of Hours Health Care fit for purpose, and with recent moves for fairer water bills and more affordable housing.
“Under my chairmanship we will continue to fight for the things that matter to people in Cornwall most – houses they can afford, bills they can pay, and the funding and services that they deserve.”
MP for St Ives, Andrew George, added:
“It is very appropriate that Matthew should take on the mantle at this time to ensure that his legacy is well promoted before his retirement at the next election. Cornwall has been well served by Matthew over the past twenty years and I know we will benefit from his experience and determination over the next 20 or so months.”
