THE House of Commons is very different now, writes North Herefordshire MP Bill Wiggin

I have a large number of new colleagues, many still surprised to be representing their seats yet all are positive, happy and like me, deeply proud of the trust placed by the electorate in all of us.

It is hard to get a seat in the chamber as there is no more room for the new MPs.

I have not seen the Prime Minister as much as he is often abroad ensuring that the UK after Brexit prospers and builds new and valuable friendships as we no longer rely on the EU.

I have not supported the debate on making Big Ben bong on Brexit day. I feel that for those who voted to leave, triumphalism is unnecessary and those people who voted remain need to be encouraged to look for a positive future. Bell ringing does not speed up that process.

The state of our roads is again a pressing issue. Despite the money I have been able to attract for pothole repairs there is always more to do.

It is concerning that Herefordshire Council will be discussing spending £39million on electric buses. While we all agree that we need to combat climate change, I am concerned Herefordshire residents will find it difficult to accept their hard-earned taxes being spent this way while the roads these buses will run on are neglected.

This proposed spending seems extravagant when the council are considering rejecting £182 million from central government for the bypass that will improve air quality around the city.

I welcome the Agriculture Bill published last week that will provide a boost for our farmers here after years of inefficient and overly bureaucratic EU policy.

It sets out how farmers and land managers in England will receive public money for “public goods” – such as better air and water quality, carbon capture, higher animal welfare standards or measures to reduce flooding.

This will assist the Government in their commitment to reaching net zero emissions by 2050, while at the same time, helping to boost our farmers’ productivity.

But the most valuable concept of public money for public goods will mean that any future Government hostile to the rural community will have to justify funding cuts to the general public rather than just the farming community.

The NHS is clearly the top priority for voters and the Government last week introduced the NHS Long Term Plan Funding Bill that will enshrine in law an extra £33.9 billion a year by 2024 for the NHS putting the record funding commitment into law.