Policies that are right for us

I have always been aware that the Labour Party is perceived more generally as more urban-focused. I have always argued that rural areas are actually more in need of support and services. Most Governments prioritise larger populated areas and I understand that there may be many practical reasons for this, but in rural areas (and often coastal areas too) we can often be left behind. In fact, in order to get more equity, we would need more significant investment to get level access to services. I work across a number of organisations who consider the hidden, yet very real, levels of poverty and disconnection in less populated areas such as our constituency, Central Devon.

There is a groundswell within the Labour Party to influence policy and programmes to be ‘rural-proofed’ – making whatever we do relevant to rural and semi-rural life.  I have been working with a group ‘Labour Coast & Country’ for over ten years to systematically work on key policy areas – encouraging Labour to get policy right when it comes to our context. As a local Party, we often work within the wider Party to influence policy. Just in the last few years we have focused on transport, housing, access to dentists, violence against women and girls (which can be considerable in rural areas) and much more.

As with all of us, I have experienced other Governments at the helm.  I am sure that it’s no secret my thoughts on the years 2010 to 2024. I think that this Labour Government is getting some things right and has made progress, for example, community energy, flooding, river quality, coastal economy, the new Land Use Framework and other wider initiatives such as NHS waiting lists, investment in youth services, mental health hubs. But living my life in the local community, I know that there is a long way to go and I will continue to add my voice on the challenges facing us.

In South Devon we do suffer from severe structural challenges and this affects many of the services we need, for example, health services, education, banking, getting to and accessing work. We have the added pressure of seasonal underemployment, inconsistent public transport and a lack of affordable housing.  I am arguing for the solutions to not just be created in Whitehall but to be integrated with local knowledge and experience. Controversial as it may be, our area is at the frontline of climate risks and we need to play our role in the life-defining green transition. Not least, we hold a real opportunity to engage in community-owned renewable energy.

We all need to argue for any economic growth to actively involve peripheral, rural and coastal economies rather than just being concentrated in urban centres. Our area has often fallen short in national funding formulas - delivering essential public services across geographically-dispersed populations has a higher per-capita cost, we need more money locally to rebalance this.

With Labour Coast & Country, I will be calling for the Land Use Framework and regional funding to be explicitly mandated to invest in rural and coastal economic diversification. I am hoping that improved planning guidance will tackle the impact of second homes and short-term lets, giving more protection to renters who need dependable, good quality homes to rent. I will be keeping a watchful eye on how we will be included in the Local Power Plan investment in facilitating community-owned energy projects. Funding formulas need to create better access for our residents to public transport and healthcare delivery.

Reading social media or most press does not seem to match up with my experience and observation of the phenomenal work that is taking place in constituencies and at Westminster. It’s naïve and impractical to only desire perfection in politics.  We should demand more and I will be doing that methodically.  But the direction of travel of Labour is one I support and any change from that will be watched and called to account by members such as myself.

Lisa Robillard Webb - [email protected]

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