HER Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Dorset invited me, as representative of West Dorset, to a very moving service at Wimborne Minster last Friday to commemorate the life and work of the Duke of Edinburgh. It was a poignant tribute to an extraordinary man, who will be remembered with deep admiration and respect. The Queen remains in my thoughts and prayers.

On Saturday, I’m going to visit fishermen again in Lyme Regis to discuss current policy and offering assistance where I can. In ensuring our fishing communities in Lyme and West Bay can access the support they need and overcome the difficulties with exports, we will safeguard this important industry well into the future.

The National Bus Strategy was unveiled by the Prime Minister last month and presents an excellent opportunity to level-up Dorset. This is a £3 billion shake-up to the bus sector, the greatest in a generation. It will make bus services cheaper, simpler, and easier to use. It will also deliver a greener bus fleet for the UK, offering another tool in the fight to cut emission levels in pollution hotspots like Chideock here in West Dorset.

While the strategy provides optimism, my focus is to get bus services running again where they are needed, but no longer run. As a farmer’s son raised in rural Dorset, I know the importance of effective public transport and its impact on people’s lives. I will therefore be questioning the Minister for Buses at Transport Select Committee this week to ensure that this plan will fully deliver for rural communities.

If you are struggling with poor broadband connection, please fill out the survey on my website at www.chrisloder.co.uk/broadbandsurvey. I will continue to work to ensure that no constituent is left behind on internet connectivity.

Chris Loder

West Dorset MP