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Community News

Enthusiastic about year ahead

It’s been an ‘interesting’ year the opportunity because there are
for North Swindon MP Justin so many people out there in the
Tomlinson. ‘running pack’ who don’t get offered
He’s moved office, been re- the chance.
shuffled from his ministerial “The way I see it, there are three
position and is having to come to types of ex-minister, those who
terms with being officially ‘middle resign themselves to never being
aged’. part of the ministerial team again,
But the former nightclub manager, those who have a big sulk and
who celebrated his 40th birthday devote themselves to attacking
last month, is brimming with the government or those who
unbridled enthusiasm for the understand that being given a
challenges ahead. ministerial position is not a right,
Speaking from his constituency it’s a privilege. I understand the
office at the Customer Service Hub decision that she had to make,
in the Orbital Shopping Park, he because there are so many other North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson - enthusiastic about the future
admitted that he was disappointed good people out there who are able
to be replaced as Disabilities to fill these posts.” Milton Road base to a new home office will host public meetings on
Minister, following a 14-month He explained that working as a at the Hub in the Swindon Orbital local issues, policy forums where
stint, constituency MP has lost none of its Park. residents can share their views as
But it is clear that this recent appeal in the 16 years that he has “This is a great location, much well as drop in events to provide
setback has done little to dampen served the community as councillor more accessible than the Milton useful information.
his passion for representing his and MP. Road office. My constituents here in Recently, the office has been used
constituency. “I’m a genuine local resident North Swindon are quite a transient by the local Samaritans group to
“I can’t believe how lucky I am. I’m and I take great pride in the way group. We have a lot of renters who undertake their volunteer training,
immensely proud to represent the that I can use my position to help are here for a relatively short time the North Swindon jobs fair and
local community. bring together different community and then move on. So this office a venue for Macmillan Cancer
“If I was given the opportunity groups and organisations to help acts as a valuable focal point for Support’s annual coffee morning.
to take on a ministerial post again get things done. I see my role as a people and organisations.” Any community groups that would
I would obviously jump at the facilitator, which is where I can be He explained that the new like to make use of the community
chance, and in her letter to me, most valuable.” space is being made available, office can contact Justin’s team
Theresa May didn’t rule anything This year, Justin has relocated his free of charge, to a wide range on 01793 533393 or email Justin.
out. I was lucky to have been given constituency office from its former of community groups. The new [email protected]

‘I’ve become part of the furniture’ - MP Robert Buckland

South Swindon MP Robert Buckland Since 2010, we have had 16,000 that diversity. There’s never a dull community and I’m a parent. I visit
has become an established part of items of casework. We try to cover moment.” schools all the time and most of the
the Swindon political landscape in as many of these as we can - I’m Turning to the recent broadside time the atmosphere is appropriate.
the six years since he was elected. lucky to have such a good team levelled at Swindon’s primary and We should use these criticisms as a
Working from his ‘cosy’ office that helps me do that. secondary schools by South West platform to build on.
in Wood Street, the walls lined “Swindon’s a microcosm of the regional director of Ofsted, Bradley “We stand ready to help these
with the work of local artists, rest of the country, within my Simmons, Mr Buckland agreed schools. It’s about getting it right.
Mr Buckland relishes his role as constituency you have rural areas that the blanket criticism was ‘not This is not about party politics.”
a constituency MP. For all its and other parts of Swindon which helpful’ whilst recognising that Turning to the decision by
challenges and the huge workload share many of the there were some key issues that Swindon Borough Council to
involved, it is this key part of his features of inner needed to be addressed. close 10 libraries in the town, Mr
role that he says brings him the city areas. The Responding to concerns by Buckland was keen to highlight
most satisfaction - the aspect range of case teachers over funding allocated the efforts made by campaigners
where he feels he can make the work that I get to pupils in Swindon, which is to ensure that Parks library was
most impact on the lives of those presented with significantly lower that other included in the core provision
living in his constituency. reflects similar areas, Mr Buckland said: raising the number from four
“I do have a good “We have seen an increase of £150 libraries to five.
relationship with most for pupil premium payments and “The Parks Library is vital for that
people in Swindon. I’ve I am aware that this is something area of Swindon. It is essential for
been in this position so that the Secretary of State is job seekers and provides a wider
long that I get people looking at closely. community role in this area where
recognising me in the “It is important to pull together there is a lot of social deprivation.
street all the time. as an educational community. The We have been working hard
I suppose I have letter from Mr Simmons failed to to see if we can maintain the
become part of acknowledge a lot of good work network, by looking at partnership
the furniture now. that is going on in our schools. approaches. There is a lot of work
That is the part of For example, Dorcan have just had going on to bring people together,
the job that I enjoy their best results in three years, so we shall see what the new year
the most. We have we are going in the right direction. brings.”
a small team and A lot of this work has been going Robert can be contacted on 01793
we have a large on already before Mr Simmons 533 393, or via email:
workload. sent that letter out. I live in the [email protected]
10 swindonlink.com n January 2017

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