Guest Column: As 2025 begins, Rebecca Smith MP reflects on her busy end to 2024, filled with community visits, celebrations, and campaigns for South West Devon.
From awarding young winners in her Christmas card competition to advocating for vital healthcare improvements, MP Rebecca Smith shares how she’s championing local concerns while setting ambitious goals for the year ahead.
In this guest column, discover her key priorities, from securing a new A&E facility for Derriford Hospital and strengthening regional transport links, to defending Plymouth’s naval assets and standing up for victims of violence. Rebecca also celebrates one local resident’s viral Christmas display, spreading festive cheer while raising funds for a good cause.
Read on to see how your MP is working to make a difference for Plympton, Plymstock, and beyond in 2025.
Wishing you and your family a joyful New Year!
- Health and Transport Advocacy:
Rebecca Smith is pushing for government action on Derriford’s new A&E and advocating for improved transport links in South West Devon, including Dawlish repairs and expanded train services. - Commitment to Defence and Community Safety:
She continues to press for clarity on the Royal Navy’s amphibious warship replacements and is actively participating in the debate on Violence Against Women and Girls. - Community Engagement:
From celebrating local achievements like Brian’s viral Christmas display to engaging with residents at festive events, Smith emphasizes staying connected with constituents and championing local causes.
I closed 2024 with a sack full of Christmas visits in South West Devon. I announced the winners of my first Christmas card competition, Grace, Jude and Jessica, met with Royal Mail sorters and posties ahead of the Christmas rush at the Mail Centre in Plymstock, held kittens at Gables Farm, and pulled crackers with my team at the Royal Oak in Meavy. The perfect way to see out 2024!
Many of us set personal goals at New Years. The start of a new year also offers a chance to reflect on where our communities and the wider country stand, and where we aspire to be. Read on for a glimpse of my aims and early work for South West Devon in the year ahead.
Looking ahead to 2025 in South West Devon
For South West Devon, I will be keeping an eagle eye on the hospital decision, pressing on for progress on transport in our region, asking a question in Parliament on defence and speaking at the debate on Violence Against Women and Girls.
Since being elected in July, I have been campaigning relentlessly for the Government to honour its manifesto commitment to Derriford’s new A&E.
READ MORE DERRIFORD A&E NEWS
The new facility is absolutely vital to unblock queues of ambulances outside A&E and improve health outcomes in Plymouth and the surrounding areas.
I presented a petition to Parliament with almost one thousand local signatures, receiving widespread media coverage. The Government have considered my petition, and a decision is expected to be made this month.
I will press on with my work to improve transport links in South West Devon. As a member of the influential Transport Committee, I will use my platform to argue for the need to complete the remedial works at Dawlish, prevent disruption caused by HS2 works, have Crosscountry trains call at Ivybridge and deliver the Plymouth Metro.
I was deeply concerned by the Government’s decision to scrap HMS Bulwark and Albion last November. On the first day the House returned, I asked when the six planned amphibious warships will be built to replace Bulwark and Albion and support Royal Marine operations.
Given the cross-party support for keeping the Royal Marines in Plymouth, the Government’s timescale is of significant interest to Plymouth and the surrounding communities. I will be sharing the Government’s response in due course.
Also, as I write this, I am hoping to speak at the Westminster debate on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Having served as the chair of Plymouth City Council’s VAWG Commission, it is an issue close to my heart and one that I have carried with me into Parliament.
Brian’s Christmas display goes viral!
I couldn‘t sign off without one of my personal highlights from Christmas – visiting Brian’s amazing Christmas display on Reddicliff Road in Plymstock, raising money for Gables Farm. Countless families have passed by to get a glimpse of Brian’s famous polystyrene cartoon characters, and my post sharing this picture has reached an incredible 363,000 views! Huge well done to Brian!
As ever, you can book a surgery appointment or get in touch via email:
rebecca.smith.mp@ parliament.uk or call the office on 01752 335666.
Visit my website or Facebook for more information: www.rebecca-smith.org.uk and fb.com/SWDevonRebecca
Sorry Kathy!
In our December edition we published a photo of Rebecca Smith MP and Coun Kathy Watkin at the Radford Park pumpkin judging. Unfortunately the caption referred to her as Coun Kathy White, not Councillor Kathy Watkins. We apologise for the error.
