North Devon MP reflects on his ‘eye-opening’ first year at Westminster

North Devon’s MP has been reflecting on an ‘incredibly rewarding’ and ‘eye-opening’ first year.

Ian Roome won the seat for the Liberal Democrats on July 4, 2024 with a majority of more than 6,000 votes following two consecutive terms of Conservative MPs.

With a vow to be ‘North Devon’s voice in Westminster’, well-known local candidate Mr Roome - who was a Barnstaple county and district councillor at the time – says he has been dedicated to delivering campaign pledges.

With a strong focus on the local NHS, he said this had included championing better access to NHS dentistry and leading the push for long-overdue investment in North Devon District Hospital.

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He worked at the hospital as head of the then Over and Above charity, leading major projects such as fundraising for the Seamoor Unit for cancer treatment and the Fern Centre,

Before that he served in the RAF, including being based in North Devon, as a mental health nurse and a charity fundraiser as well as his councillor roles.

Above: Ian Roome speaking on General Election night after securing the seat with a 6,000 majority.

In his first year as North Devon MP, Mr Roome and his team said they had dealt with thousands of casework, local issues and questions - helping constituents with everything from housing and healthcare access to rural transport and power cuts.

Together with fellow Liberal Democrat colleagues, he has also championed major national campaigns, including fairer funding for the South West, action on sewage dumping and saving the Winter Fuel Allowance.

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He said he had been ‘honoured and humbled’ when local voters chose him as their next MP, adding: “It’s a huge honour and not one I take for granted.”

He continued: “From day one I have been focused on the issues people in North Devon care about most; fixing local health services, tackling the cost-of-living crisis and protecting our environment.

“I’ve met so many people doing incredible things or facing tough times and it’s a daily reminder of what a privilege it is to serve our community.

“Locally, I’m really proud to have led the campaign pushing hard to secure funding for our hospital and also to have helped launch a free dentistry course at Petroc through the North Devon Dental Steering Group I set up. These wins show what’s possible when we come together, put our community first and focus on what matters.

Above: North Devon’s latest MP Ian Roome says being elected had been ‘eye-opening’ and ‘rewarding’. Credit: Ian Roome

“Now, I’m pushing hard for the investment our local hospital urgently needs and I won’t stop until we see real progress.

“It’s been an incredibly rewarding and eye-opening first year, both in Parliament and here at home in North Devon. Whether it’s my work on the Defence Select Committee or helping with local casework, everything I do comes back to standing up for our community here.

“That’s why I ran to be your MP in the first place, and it’s what keeps me focused every day. I will keep fighting to deliver change for North Devon, after years of Conservative failure and neglect.”

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