‘Cyclists are not safe to leave the pavements’

I took a cycling proficiency test as a child, when the roads were much quieter. The challenge for young riders these days is much worse.

There seems to be much more aggression from drivers and less thought for other more vulnerable road users. In short, I think driving standards have fallen.

One driver, Harry Collier demonstrated that when he said on your website “Drive close and scare them!” and “I love passing them on roads as near as I dare.” What a stupid thing to say.

Perhaps he should read the new Highway Code, which says drivers must give at least 1.5 metres of room when passing cyclists.

My point is that everyone, whether it is cyclists on pavements or drivers on roads, should show some decency and consideration for people who are in a more vulnerable position.

Ruth King

By email

MP’s recess catch-up

“Do you have to go to London often,” is a question I am asked with astonishing regularity. Yes. I am a Member of Parliament, so I am there Monday to Thursday most weeks. The exception, of course, are the recesses – currently a week marking Whitsun.

It’s a week in the constituency for all kinds of meetings and visits. For me it was a fascinating visit to Malmesbury’s Sweetnam and Bradley steel company (most of whose workers live within walking distance of the factory); lunch in Grittleton, political supper club in Purton, a variety of meetings to plan the new Constituency (to be called South Cotswolds), surgeries in Cricklade and Malmesbury, planning meeting in Crudwell, the opera at Shipton Moyne and so much else.

Yet it’s also an important moment to catch up on the backlog, clear the decks, read and write and think, and generally take stock.

I am very fortunate to represent such a wonderful, beautiful, relatively prosperous and happy Constituency. It’s convenient for London (MPs from Cornwall or Inverness spend a huge amount of their time just travelling). It’s a ‘safe’ Conservative seat (although I never allow any kind of arrogant presumption over what the electorate may think). And it’s a thoroughly wonderful place to live one’s life. Like my parish minister father before me, I love my constituency work, and find it very fulfilling.

I also love my Parliamentary life, my military interests, my involvement with the environment and Polar regions, and the role I play as one of the Speaker’s Panel of Committee Chairmen. I try to say something or another in Parliament most days – main Chamber or Westminster Hall, or perhaps in a committee; and I do my best to mention North Wiltshire every time I am on my feet.

But I also support a Party which I believe will always (especially now under the very capable Rishi Sunak) do the best for the people, albeit not necessarily always achieving that noble ambition. Conservative instincts and beliefs are mine, and I think the majority of people in North Wiltshire. I support free speech, a liberal market economy, less government, low taxes (post-Pandemic they are too high); coupled with a real concern for those less fortunate. The poor, the needy, the ill or bereaved- they need more care than the prosperous and healthy, which is perhaps why I enjoy my constituency surgeries so much.

So the recess has given me a chance to ponder anew how much I love both aspects of my job, and how fortunate I am to have it. It also reminds me that I am here to serve the people who sent me there.

James Gray

MP for North Wiltshire