When elected in May last year the new Conservative MP for Torbay promised "a fresh start". This seems to have manifested in two ways. Firstly the introduction of 'appointment only' advice surgeries; and secondly the publicly funded constituency office only being available to residents for 3 hours a day. Perhaps the staff have something better to do in the afternoon?

This contrasts with former MP Adrian Sanders whose advice surgeries were available to all without appointment and whose office was open for the public to drop in for the whole day (public disclosure: I worked there!)

There may have been a fresh start, but in my view the residents of Torbay are getting a poorer service.

- Swithin Long

Vice-chair of Torbay Liberal Democrats