Sarah Dyke: Improving local NHS services is my priority

Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Dyke has announced she will stand for the new Glastonbury & Somerton constituency at the next election, promising to make fixing local health services her main focus if re-elected.

The Somerton & Frome constituency is being abolished at the next election. Frome and the surrounding area are to join with the Midsomer Norton and Radstock area in Bath & North East Somerset while Somerton, Wincanton, Langport, Castle Cary, and Martock are set to unite with Glastonbury, Street and Ilchester.

Sarah was elected to represent Somerton & Frome in July in a stunning by-election win with her spectacular victory showing the Liberal Democrats are firmly back in the West Country.

Since then, she’s been working hard to give voters the MP they deserve, after more than a year of having no representation.

Together with her team, she has spent her first 100 days holding surgeries across the constituency, catching up on the backlog of casework that simply wasn't happening under her predecessor, and acting as a strong voice for local people in Parliament.

Announcing her candidacy, Sarah Dyke MP said:

“It is humbling to represent the area my family have lived in for generations and farmed for over 250 years. When I was elected, I promised to be an active, hard-working MP who would reach out and properly represent people and be the pro-active and visible MP we’ve been lacking in this area for just too long.

“I believe that everyone deserves a strong local champion, acting as their voice in Parliament. This is what I’ve done, and I am passionate about continuing to do that – because there is so much that needs fixing after years of Conservative neglect.

“Too many people in Somerset struggle to get a GP appointment, can’t access NHS dental treatment, and face hours of waiting for an ambulance to arrive. 

“That’s why I am putting the NHS at the heart of everything I do. On my very first day in Parliament I demanded a meeting with the Health Secretary to discuss the shocking lack of GP services in our area and the dangerously long ambulance wait times. 

“I am disappointed that I cannot keep representing all our communities but am determined to ensure we still have a local champion standing up for us in Somerset. That’s why I am standing for the new Glastonbury & Somerton constituency at the next General Election.

“I will continue to work for everyone living in Somerton & Frome, while also being a voice for those across Somerset who also feel they’re being let down and taken for granted by this Conservative Government.

“Local people have a clear choice at the next election; more neglect, failure, and crumbling services with the Conservative candidate, or myself as a strong local champion fighting to fix our NHS, invest in our towns and villages, and get you the fair deal you deserve. 

“I look forward to getting out and about over the coming months to listen to your concerns and earn your support. If you want to see things change for the better, then support the Liberal Democrats and get involved to help my campaign.”