01/08/10 - Stratton Outlook Monthly Article, August

In the years leading up to the election, I kept promising that I would be a highly visible and accessible MP. Now I’ve been able to turn those words into deeds . Along with my South Swindon colleague Robert Buckland, we’ve set up a joint constituency office, right in the centre of Swindon. It has so many advantages. First and foremost it’s the most efficient use of taxpayers’ money; by sharing accommodation, staff and equipment, we can make considerable cost savings. It’s also very accessible – public transport and car parks are right on the doorstep. And it’s in a prominent location virtually on the border of the two constituencies, so as many residents as possible can get there. Here are the details:
The address is 1 Milton Road, Swindon, SN1 5JE; the telephone number is (01793) 53 33 93. Office hours are 0900 to 1700 Monday to Friday, with visitors welcome from 1000 to 1500 each day. The office is on the first floor but there is a lift, and disabled facilities are on the ground floor.

Another way of keeping in touch is through my website, and that’s now up and running as well. At www.justintomlinson.com you can find details of everything I’m undertaking on behalf of Swindon residents, both here and in Westminster. Meetings and events, campaigns and committees, questions and contact details – they’re all there. Please do take a look.

One of the key priorities for me as both a local resident and MP is to help deliver the much-needed town centre regeneration for Swindon. A number of issues have become clear.
Firstly, it’s essential that Swindon is ready to deliver the regeneration as soon as the economy recovers. This means we have to demonstrate to potential developers that we have a real determination to move forward.
Secondly, up and down the country we are seeing ‘identikit’ town centres. Swindon needs to be different. We will need a reason for potential shoppers to choose Swindon over Bath, Bristol or Reading.
Thirdly, we must get regeneration projects right. Money is tight, so we need to be careful how we spend it.
And finally, we need to engage with all local residents, making sure we deliver appropriate development that meets everyone’s needs.
Wherever I have an opportunity, I will promote Swindon and do all I can to attract the investment that our town centre so desperately needs and deserves.