We’re in a drought. Reservoirs are lower than normal, so it is right that we cut back our water use. We should also expect South West Water to fix its leaks, after years of flat-lining rates of repair. Water companies are telling us to save every drop. They must be made to save every drop too.

I had the honour of attending a showing of "How NOT to Flee a War" at the Arts Centre - Sidmouth, part of this year's Folk Festival. Maria and Jez escaped Kyiv in February 2022. We discuss war in casualty figures and refugee totals. An hour with them is a reminder of the stories those numbers hide.

The 135th Honiton Show. Thank you to the organisers and volunteers. In the NFU tent I heard about bluetongue, planning delays, and increased input costs. I'm grateful, and look forward to taking these perspectives to Westminster.

I joined Axminster Town Council's screening of the People's Emergency Briefing at the Guildhall yesterday. More than 1,600 communities have now seen this film. I have called for a national broadcast.

Visited Stockland Victory Hall this week and chatted with the contractors repairing the water main. My grievances with South West Water are about how the firm is run, never the workers. The people carrying out these repairs in the sweltering heat have my fullest admiration.

There was a good crowd assembled this morning for the Honiton Business Network breakfast at Club 102. Entrepreneurs and community organisations shared ideas about how to make the best out of the local economy. Thanks to everyone who came along.

Lloyds Bank agreed to retain the ability for people to pay in cheques at Post Offices and banking hubs until 2030. After I joined with 120 MPs on a cross-party basis they thought again. Honiton loses its last bank branch next March, this matters for older residents here who still rely on cheques.

Lovely to see familiar faces in Gittisham for the seventh stop on my summer tour. Broadband, South West Water, planning, and the future of our local councils topped the agenda. Thank you for the warm welcome, the frank exchange of views, and the cup of tea.

It was a pleasure to meet the passionate volunteers of the River Lim Action Group yesterday, to do some water testing. Built for 6,500 residents in Lyme, the Sewage Treatment Works at Uplyme isn't built to cope with tens of thousands in the summer, given seasonal visitors.

A productive morning in Newton Poppleford - the latest stop on my summer tour. It was wonderful to see faces familiar and new. We covered the Northmostown road closure; traffic through the village; local government reorganisation; South West Water; and SEND. Thank you for a warm and honest welcome.

Last Wednesday, the Commons debated how Britain takes carbon back out of the atmosphere: Tree planting? New technology? Carbon capture, usage and storage? My question started in the sea...

Campaigners warn Dartmoor could lose up to 90% of its pony herds under new grazing contracts. Tens of thousands have signed the petition to save them. Then a second appeared, from the Conservative Party. I asked the Environment Secretary: who is that one for?

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister was at the NATO summit in Ankara. Last Monday, MPs questioned the Defence Secretary on "readiness" and UK defence. I asked him what being 'ready' might mean, in relation to misinformation from foreign adversaries.

On ITV West Country last Wednesday, giving my view on the Government's defence investment plan, and what it means for the South West.

Illicit vape and tobacco shops are spreading on high streets across the country, undercutting legitimate businesses. We have seen it in Honiton too. I spoke in a Commons debate on shutting these shops for good. Healthy high streets are built on honest trade.

Cullompton and Wellington have spent years campaigning for railway stations. It is a year since the Government announced funding for the two stations - and the work has only accelerated since then.

Nine years: that’s how long Northleigh fought to get connected. Full fibre reaches 68% of Honiton and Sidmouth, against 85% nationally. Over 2,000 local homes can’t get even 10 Mbps. Help me get rural Devon online: richardfoord.org.uk/new/campaigns/broadband

On BBC Politics South West last weekend, making the case for Devon on the question of devolution - and what a mayoral deal would mean for our region.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse took seven years. Victims and survivors across the country gave evidence. Its final report came in October 2022. Yesterday I intervened in a Commons debate to reflect on what had happened to its recommendations...

In June 2025 the UK and four partners sanctioned Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinian communities. Smotrich has since ordered the displacement of a Palestinian community. I asked ministers this week: where are the additional joint sanctions?

Judging the First Give final at Honiton Community College was a highlight of my week last week. Students pitched for £1,000 for their chosen charity. Congratulations to the year eights representing Children's Hospice SW. Impressive, confident, community-minded young people.

South West Water pumped 9,500+ hours of untreated sewage into the River Otter in 2024. On 18 June I led a Commons debate demanding action, but it's still flowing. Make the polluters pay to clean up their mess. Add your name: richardfoord.org.uk/sewage

The Government consulted on weakening flood protection in planning guidance, which could mean more homes built on land prone to flooding. That consultation closed on 10 March. Still no answer. I made the thoughts of our constituency known: prevention beats paying out after homes are flooded.

In Westminster Hall yesterday, I spoke up for our coastguard rescue officers. They leave their beds, cancel plans and lose income to answer emergency calls. You cannot replace years of local knowledge. I will keep fighting to protect teams like Beer on our Jurassic Coast.

On Tuesday 7 July, East Devon's planning committee decides on a new home for Honiton Town Youth FC, the result of five years' work by the club's volunteers. I'm right behind HTYFC and hope the committee backs the only viable option to keep the club going.

After a week of record-breaking June heat across the South West, I joined the Exeter Climate Forum this morning. Scientists, businesses and young people here are shaping the road from COP30 to COP31. I'll keep pressing Ministers to follow the science and act for Devon. #ExeterClimateForum

Great afternoon at Offwell Fete. Good to chat with officers and PCSOs from Honiton Police Station about local work to counter domestic violence and tackle speeding. Lovely too to meet Colin from Lyme RNLI - next Saturday marks Beer Lifeboat Weekend and 20 years of fundraising. #RNLI

On the Farming Roadmap, I asked Ministers a simple question: what does it do for farmers here in the South West? They couldn't say. Our farms help feed the country and deserve answers. I secured a farming debate and pushed for the red diesel cut. I'll keep pressing. #Farming #HonitonAndSidmouth

NHS dentistry in mid & east Devon is still failing patients. The Government's new dental contract changes are welcome, but you still can't get an appointment when you need one. I'm pressing Ministers for real change. Struggled to find an NHS dentist? Add your name: richardfoord.org.uk/dentists

The South West can be at the heart of the clean energy revolution. Clean, home-grown power would mean skilled jobs and an industry our future generations could build a life around. That is the future I want for us, and I will keep fighting to bring those jobs and that investment here.