Ever since I have been elected, I have petitioned the Government to take Dorset, particularly West Dorset seriously for Government investment.

And last week, the Government announced that Dorset is in line to have one of the 38 UK Investment Zones across the country. This status could produce lower taxation, cutting of red tape and other additional measures to drive investment and economic growth in these regions. I have worked on a relentless lobbying campaign within Westminster for some time to expedite such a scheme for Dorset.

In West Dorset, where we have received just 3% over the years of LEP investment monies for c10% of the population over the largest geographical area. This county is in need of such impetus from the Government to drive up our productivity and boost the local economy.

I will continue to push hard for Dorset to have an investment zone within it, probably at the south of the county and will continue to do so until Dorset receives and benefits from the full benefits that this package of initiatives will create.

Having previously joined Dorset Police on Patrol in Bridport and Lyme Regis, I know first-hand the importance of having a strong rural policing presence here. Whilst the numbers of patrols in West Dorset have increased following my urging of Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner to increase West Dorset’s resource allocation to rural crime, I am campaigning to increase this further, and would welcome hearing of any experiences or insights you may have.

It was encouraging news to hear of a major police operation in Lyme Regis and Bridport executing drugs warrants. A good step in the right direction, but I’ll keep up the pressure until we’ve made serious inroads into this scourge.

CHRIS LODER

WEST DORSET MP