Robert Buckland Weblog

The problem with the flurry of “end of year reviews” that have all been written well before the Christmas break is that they take no account of major events that have an annoying habit of happening right at the very end of December. In 2004, the Boxing Day Tsunami was unforeseen by all the [...]

It is early on Christmas Eve, so I am taking a few moments to reflect upon recent events locally and nationally. Last week, a delegation of members of the Swindon SEN Network had a two hour meeting at the Civic Offices with a group of Councillors who were reviewing Special Needs provision in the [...]

Since my last posting, we have been busy writing and preparing letters about the post office closure proposals that have been distributed to thousands of local residents in and around the affected post offices. The response we are receiving is excellent, and we shall take the matter forward as part of the consultation process [...]

After months of waiting, we now have the announcement from the Post Office as to where they want the axe to fall on their network in South Swindon. Yet again, the centre of town has been hit with the announcement that the Westcott Place Branch in Faringdon Road is one of two they want [...]

This article appeared in today’s Swindon Advertiser:
“That’s another fine mess you’ve gotten us out of
By Ben Perrin

Robert Buckland cleaning up in Westlea

THREE disused shopping trolleys were piled high with rubbish after a clean-up day at Westlea Park.
Graffiti on a fence was also painted over as a team of volunteers blitzed the area on Saturday.
Swindon councillor [...]

Heavy rain and strong wind failed to dent our spirits yesterday as we embarked upon the second Green Action Day at Westleaze Play Area. Our team, consisting of Cllrs Mary Martin, Steve Wakefield, Nick Martin, Michael Dickinson and Peter Greenhalagh, plus a PPC nursing a heavy cold, were joined by members of the public. [...]

This last week has been rather busy – enjoyed a Pub Meeting at the Fox and Hounds in Wroughton last Thursday with local residents and today, I appeared on BBC West’s Politics Show, talking about Regional Development Agencies. John Prescott’s top down one size fits all approach to government in England has failed. [...]

I have blogged previously about the Walcot Community Shop at Sussex Square, East Walcot. On Saturday, I was able to help out there for a few hours in the morning. My activities included manning the till and collecting a cot and child guards from a local family who no longer had need for [...]