FOR the first four weeks since I was elected, I’ve had little time to get out and meet people across the community because I had to be in Westminster virtually the whole time.

But this last week and for the rest of August I’m putting that right. As well as setting up doorstep and townhall surgeries across the constituency, I have already met or am scheduled to meet business people, the chamber of commerce, parish councillors, town councillors, Cornwall councillors, the local patrol and neighbourhood policing teams, campaigners, union reps, children’s activity volunteers, local schools, BID teams, GPs, healthcare teams, tourism operators and many, many more. And that’s just this month!

I’ve recruited one full time member of the team who’ll start at the beginning of September and we have plans to recruit two or three caseworkers as soon as possible. It’s a sad state of affairs that Parliamentary security means that our offices in Camborne have to remain shut while we put in place all the statutory national security measures.

This will take several more weeks but that doesn’t stop me getting out and about and meeting folk face to face, as I promised to do before the election. As far as I’m concerned, I cannot do my job, if I’m not out in the community meeting and listening to peoples views, worries and hopes. What I can say already is that I have received a huge amount of goodwill and people seem to appreciate a visible presence from the MP who is, after all, there to represent you.

I have also been blown away by the sheer dedication, hard work and commitment from so many volunteers across our communities who, week in, week out, give up so much precious time, effort and no small amount of money to help others. Many of our communities have had a torrid time over the last decade or so. And yet time and time again the voluntary sector is there to do what is can to help the most needy.

We shouldn’t need to rely so heavily on the voluntary sector but I dread to think where we’d be without it right now. Foodbanks, charity shops, advice centres, youth support and activities, community gardens, church groups to name just a few. Cornwall’s voluntary sector has a very strong reputation across the UK. That suggests to me that there is an underlying strength to our communities. Whilst so many struggle at the moment with mental or physical health, finances, housing, addiction, family breakdown and unemployment, the fact there are so many that are prepared to volunteer to help, strongly illustrates the essence of what it is to be Cornish.

‘Onen hag oll’ (One and all) isn’t just some meaningless strapline. It’s lived and breathed by our communities every day. In these troubling times, with so much disruption up the line, our ability to recognise the challenges of our fellow men, women and children, regardless of background, creed or colour, offering support wherever we can, is frankly an inspiration to me.

Meur ras.

Perran Moon, Labour MP for St Ives