West Cornwall MP Derek Thomas, local businesses and residents as well as volunteers from Plastic Free Penzance made the most of a bright, sunny morning to clear up plastic pollution in Eastern Green at the weekend.

There are many aspects of the job of Member of Parliament for West Cornwall and Scilly that are rewarding and worthwhile but not much tops the opportunity to meet constituents at the drop-in events, the latest of which I hosted in various pubs last week.

MP Derek Thomas was in Godolphin last week for the latest tree-planting session of his Woodland Recovery 2020 project which has the goal of planting 20,000 trees in West Cornwall by the end of the year.

West Cornwall MP Derek Thomas says he is ‘absolutely delighted’ that he has been voted on to the prestigious Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee.

A vibrant tourism sector relies on good transport networks and, at the moment, public transport is nowhere near to offering a viable alternative to cars for most tourists. Therein lies the problem.

This is a big year for UK fishing and on Wednesday next week fishing industry representatives including from Newlyn gather in Westminster to discuss the key considerations that must be addressed for the industry as we leave the EU and the Commons Fisheries Policy.

Good causes in West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly can apply for up to £20,000 of funding from one of three grant-giving trusts, funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. For more information on how to apply, please see here.

I welcome Boris Johnson’s recent announcement of 20,000 new police officers over the next three years to strengthen law and order.

I will work to ensure we get our fair share in West Cornwall and that, when they are needed, they are able to respond quickly and effectively.

I am campaigning for a ‘Greener and Healthier West Cornwall and Scilly’ and I will work tirelessly for decisive action to cut harmful emissions and to protect and enhance nature.

Derek Thomas has received a personal thank-you for his work to help conserve Manx shearwaters and birds in general from the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds).