For most businesses - and for many residential users too - broadband speeds and poor mobile signals are a constant frustration. Whilst competitors elsewhere in the country can upload documents, live stream or operate through large online databases, we spend hours each week staring at a screen telling us to wait or that service has dipped out altogether. In a global economy where every second counts, Somerset is being held back.
The Wells constituency is served by a number of hospitals and it is important there is quality investment in all of them to ensure the hard-working staff can continue to offer live-saving treatments and care.
The competition we are in with countries across the world means that we must make sure our infrastructure is as good, or even better, than anywhere else.A company in Street is competing against rivals in Shanghai and Bangalore so it is essential that our businesses have access to high-capacity broadband.Our roads, rail and air connections are equally important so I will be watching the renegotiation of the First Great Western rail franchise closely. I believe the South West as a region is disadvantaged by the absence of a westwards rail link from London Heathrow.
