Hello, Cornwall! Yet another very busy week both in Westminster and here at home, as I continue working on the issues that matter most to us. This last week, I made my maiden speech in the Commons, focusing on bringing well-paid, highly-skilled jobs to Cornwall. As the new Government promises more housing developments, I made it clear that we need homes that, crucially, local people can actually afford - not just executive builds. These issues have affected Cornwall for generations, (dating even as far back to the times of my predecessors like John Pardoe and Paul Tyler), and I will be fighting to ensure that new homes come with the infrastructure and opportunities our community needs.

This week also marked 100 days since the election, and I took the opportunity to get out and speak with residents in Wadebridge and Bodmin. It’s essential to hear directly from you, the people I’m working on behalf of, about what issues need addressing. I’ll also be holding more surgeries across North Cornwall in the coming weeks, so whether you want to discuss casework or give feedback, please don’t hesitate to get in touch to book in an appointment.

In Parliament this week, I also spoke during the debate on the Terrorism: Protection of Premises Bill. This Bill, which sets out new laws to protect venues against terrorist attacks, is named after Martyn Hett, a victim of the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. While safety is critical, I argued that we must protect small, rural venues from being buried under excessive red tape. Places like Haywood Cider Farm, The BEAT in Bodmin, and local pubs, are at the very heart of our communities - and it’s therefore vital they are not unfairly impacted with unnecessary red tape. These venues play a crucial role in our social fabric, and we must find a balance that keeps event-goers safe without stifling these cherished establishments.

Speaking of pubs, I was proud to meet with CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) this week to discuss how we can better support our local breweries and pubs. Small brewers often struggle to compete with massive global companies, which dominate the market. Local pubs should be free to stock a wider variety of beers, and I’ll continue advocating for policies that help our independent brewers and pubs thrive. Now is the time to get behind our local businesses, and they need our support more than ever.

Lastly, I’m very concerned about the underspending in the agricultural support budget, with £350m left unused over the past three years. This is funding that could have supported farmers across North Cornwall. With the Basic Payment Scheme being reduced, many farmers are left uncertain about the new Environmental Land Management (ELMS) schemes. I’ll be meeting with Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner in a few weeks, so please reach out and share how this is affecting you. Your input will be invaluable as I push for more clarity and support for our agricultural sector.

Ben Maguire

Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall