25th January 2010
Congratulations to Yeovil Town FC on their 2-1 win against Exeter City at Huish Park on Saturday – at a game attended by a season best crowd of around 6,200 people.
I held Advice Centres in Ilminster (quiet) and Crewkerne (busy) in the morning on Saturday and then travelled across to see the football in the afternoon.
This time I was not the only MP watching the match, because Yeovil were enjoying the support of the former Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon MP, who was at the game with friends from our area.
Mr. Hoon is himself an avid football fan, and he apparently attends almost all of Derby’s home games. He has had a somewhat busy few weeks, initially as one of the joint Leaders of the failed coup attempt against Gordon Brown, and then giving evidence at the Chilcott Inquiry into the war in Iraq.
Whatever you think about these issues, there is no doubt that Geoff Hoon has been a very influential figure for Yeovil. It was Mr. Hoon who first signed off on the £1bn order for Future Lynx helicopters, which has been so crucial to AgustaWestland and which will sustain a much needed helicopter capability for our armed forces.
I remember lobbying the then Defence Secretary about this order in 2004/05, and I can still recall the joy and relief when the contract was given the green light in early 2005.
In any case, both Geoff Hoon and I enjoyed what was a lively game of football, which either team could have won. I cannot say it was the best Yeovil performance which I have ever seen, but a win is a win and the 3 points were a real boost – well done to all the team.
In the meantime, life has moved on, and the “Future Lynx” helicopter has now been renamed “Wildcat” and is in full production in Yeovil.
However, I am now in communication with the present Defence Secretary – Bob Ainsworth MP – about another helicopter order. The Ministry of Defence plans to order 22 Chinook helicopters for the RAF, but the initial plans seemed to involve all the work being done by Boeing in the United States. This seems to me to make little sense, and to undermine the Defence-Industrial Partnership between Westland and the MOD.
I have asked the Government to look again at this matter and to consider how Westland can play a major role in the contract, while still delivering the aircraft on time and on budget. This would help secure jobs and key engineering expertise in our area. I will continue to press the Ministry of Defence for a sensible conclusion on this in the weeks ahead.
Another key investment which we need in our area is improvement in our rail system. One young lady who came to me at my Crewkerne Advice Centre explained just how long her journey was when she has to travel from Crewkerne to Bristol for business meetings. This involves a massive 3 hour journey, in some cases via Salisbury! Better connections between Yeovil Junction and Yeovil Pen Mill are clearly part of the solution.
Re-opening Chard Junction station would also help our area, and this is something which I am supporting. Last year, the “British Rail Residuary Board” tried to sell off some crucially important land near Chard Junction station, which would be of vital importance if the station is to be re-opened. The land had previously been offered to Somerset County Council for around £350,000, and at that price was turned down by the County. But BRB put the land up for auction at just £50,000!
After I made representations to the Transport Secretary and the Chairman of BRB, the land was withdrawn from auction and is to be re-offered to the County Council. Provided a sensible price is involved, I would want the County to try to secure the site. But so far the County seems rather reticent to step up to the plate. If this opportunity is missed, it could cause real problems in the future. It is time for the County Council to get serious about delivering a better rail system for our area.
Ever,
David.