I sometimes think we should have a speech in Herefordshire every year on “The State of the County”.  Like the US President’s “State of the Nation” speech, only a lot more down to earth!

I have always had heroes. Some famous, some little-known, none of them perfect, all of them human, all of them flawed, but all of them extraordinary to me:  people who have shaped the world around them for the good.

As Hereford Times readers will know, I am a hopeless optimist by nature.  But even I am starting to get really excited about all the new investment taking in place in Hereford.

The past week has resounded to wild cries that the decision to prorogue Parliament is a “coup”, a suspension of democracy, or even fascism in action. 

Local MP Jesse Norman has welcomed new Government spending which will greatly benefit people across Herefordshire.

Jesse Norman MP has warmly welcomed a host of changes announced by Highways England in response to local concerns about roadworks on the A49 between Wilton and Peterstow.

I wanted to update you on the situation with the A49 roadworks being undertaken in and around Peterstow by Highways England, in advance of the public meeting this evening.

It was a delight last week to welcome Two Farmers Crisps to Westminster, where they were crowned national Rural Enterprise Champions at the Countryside Alliance Awards.

It is now a month since I was promoted from the Department of Transport to be the new Paymaster General and Financial Secretary to the Treasury.  That is, the minister in charge of HM Revenue and Customs and the development of tax policy.