MP starts walking club for constituents

A new MP is putting his best foot forward in his constituency.

New Devonshire North West representative Glen Smith has started a walking club for constituents so they can get to know each other – and quiz him on local and national issues.

The OBA’s Mr Smith, who defeated PLP Premier Paula Cox in December’s election, said: “The purpose is two-fold — we’re trying to build a community and help people meet other people who live in the community.

“It’s a great opportunity for constituents to talk to me, ask me questions and at the same time get some exercise and get fitter.”

Mr Smith, a keen runner, said he had been sidelined by a knee injury and he was also using the brisk morning walks to build up his fitness again.

He said: “It’s good to be fit and healthy and it’s amazing how time flies by. People point out things that need to be fixed along the way, which you might not normally see and it’s an opportunity to meet constituents and do something healthy.”

Mr Smith added, in the week since the walks started, he had fielded questions on the Budget, term limits and work permits as well as on constituency issues.

He said: “It’s still dark when we start out — some areas, it’s a lack of lighting, the amount of trash you see at the side of the road and maybe the need to put trash bins at the side of the road in these areas.

“It’s great to get ideas from the constituents and I can then talk to the relevant Ministers. I guess I’m a vehicle for them getting to areas they want to see an improvement in and have a direct dialogue.”

Mr Smith said constituents had also raised the controversial abolition of six year term limits on work permits.

He said: “We’ve also talked about the Budget and we’ve talked about term limits and work permits so they can understand the issues.

“But it’s been more about local things than national issues — that’s what I focused on in my campaign.”

The walks take place on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, starting at the Arboretum car park off Devonshire’s Montpelier Road.

The walks, which start at 6:15am, take around 45 minutes and cover nearly three miles.

Mr Smith said: “We only started last Thursday — I guess it’s unusual, but it’s a start. I hope the numbers increase as we go on and everyone is welcome to join in and ask questions.”

Mr Smith, a businessman and entrepreneur, pulled off one of the shock victories of the election when he beat Ms Cox in what was once regarded as a rock solid PLP seat.

He had previously served as a Common Councillor, Alderman and Deputy Mayor on the Corporation of Hamilton before signing up as an OBA candidate.  n