Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2009-08-13 08:36:35 - Graham Ellis
At the weekend, I read that James Gray, the MP for Chippenham, had remarried. And, yesterday, that Michael Ancram, MP for Devizes (which includes Melksham) has taken the decision to stand down at the next general election. Goodness - how times change; four years ago, when I first got more actively involved in local activities, the MP in this blue part of the world seemed almost like a fixture! James Gray will still be standing at the next election - but for North Wilts which does NOT include Chippenham, Melksham will move to the new Chippenham constituency, so it's "all change". Realistically, we'll be represented here by either Duncan Hames or Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones; all three major parties have good local candidates, but realistically the seat is a LibDem / Conservative marginal with (on last general election results) it being wafer-thin to Duncan and the Lib Dems.
I have had the pleasure of meeting Michael a number of times, and he's a lovely, courteous gentleman. I have seen him in effective action in saving the hourly daytime train service at Bedwyn (population 1,800) when it was threatened with a reduction to every two hours, I have read of him in the Middle East working to help negotiate more peaceful times in the areas in and surrounding Israel. And I have seen his parliamentary / defence questions, keeping an eye on the government as is one role of an opposition. I also thank him for the representations he has made on behalf of the train services to the station here at Melksham in his constituency, where (for a population of 23,000) a cut to just 2 trains a day was threatened - and in this case carried through.
The new constituancy boundaries look far more sensible. A cluster of towns - Bradford-on-Avon, Corsham, Chippenham and Melksham form a natural constituency, separate from Devizes - that great open area which previously had add odd finger into West Wilts and its development / much more urban area. North Wilts, again a rural area, is a natural grouping too, with James Gray (at least as I write) standing there. In Westbury (including Trowbridge), there's a fine MP in Andrew Murrison; I am intentionally NOT making any party politics here, but I will say that "there is one very impressive person".
So - I may be up to a year early, but I wish Michael a long and happy retirement (I would love it if he found time as a swansong to help oil a few wheels for Melksham) and I look forward to this time next year when - at least - the layout of the seats in this county will be rather more logical, for the good of the people who live and work here.