Political Editor at BBC South West
Westminster & Plymouth
Joined July 2010
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"I think we should say Miss Fookes is the most gorgeous redhead" - Fifty years after women first won the vote and the right to stand for Parliament, Janet (now Baroness) Fookes had to put up with this on election night 1970. #votesforwomen #Vote100 @UKVote100 @UKParliament
Martyn Oates retweeted
I'll be on @BBCSpotlight Politics show with @bbcmartynoates this Sunday. We'll be discussing heating oil, pesticides, and train WiFi.
Martyn Oates retweeted
Just filmed BBC Politics Live SW with @bbcmartynoates, former Tory MP Kevin Foster and Lib Dem Sarah Dyke MP talking defence, flood funding and Dartmoor.
Martyn Oates retweeted
Things are moving on rail in the SW. @LukePollard is, rightly, calling for a multi-decade strategy using rail as a catalyst for regional growth. This is the approach we've needed as a region for a while. @bbcmartynoates is covering this in more depth on Sunday.
Thanks to @sebnoble for chatting about SW rail yesterday. Here’s @LukePollard and I talking about the importance of investment and what 10% of funds pledged for the north could get us - 3.43 in. bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0…
Martyn Oates retweeted
This Sunday I'll be joining @bbcmartynoates on @BBCPolitics South West.
@SWDevonRebecca MP, Noah Law MP, and I will be discussing local government funding and the rural economy.
Martyn Oates retweeted
I'll be on @BBCPolitics South West with @bbcmartynoates tomorrow morning. Tune in!
Martyn Oates retweeted
It’s such a shame, because the two of you together would be a such political force to be reckoned with. Such a missed opportunity. If only people could look past the trivial differences to create a unified leftwing front in a time where the extreme right dominate. Then sort the trivial shit out once you’re in power.
The Government confirms it will stop the creation of a city mayor for Plymouth even if next month’s referendum votes in favour.
questions-statements.parliam…
Martyn Oates retweeted
Strong support for Government action on Ukraine and increasing defence spending from my fellow SW MPs on the Politics South West filmed today in Plymouth.
Tune in on Sunday morning to watch the show with @BenMaguireNC @bbcmartynoates and @SWDevonRebecca
ALT The panel
Martyn Oates retweeted
Today, the flag of the historic county of Cornwall is being flown in New Palace Yard to mark St Piran’s Day. Cornwall has six constituencies represented in the House and has been referenced in the Chamber on 2132 occasions. (1/2)
SE Cornwall MP Anna Gelderd says a combined Devon & Cornwall devolution deal “could unlock funding and powers that Cornwall might not achieve alone, which would be crucial for addressing key issues such as the Tamar Tolls, A38 safety upgrades, and better cross-border healthcare”.
Cornwall deserves the best devolution deal. We must explore all options, ensuring tangible benefits for residents in South East Cornwall.
Read my full statement on my Facebook page:
facebook.com/share/p/1EMiCFX…
Professor Charles Thomas, founder of @ICornishStudies, would be “utterly devastated” & “turning in his grave” at prospect of Cornwall rejecting “generational opportunity” of a combined mayoral authority with Devon, according to his grandson, Plymouth Moor View MP @FredThomasUK.
Like many people in Plymouth, I come from a Cornish family.
My grandfather spent his life working for Cornwall, out of a lifelong love & championing of what it means to be Cornish.
He would be utterly devastated at the idea of Cornish people missing out on opportunity.
The choice is between new houses, jobs and powers for Cornish people on one hand, or isolation and nationalism on the other.
"It would be a very risky business to impose devolution on any particular area...particularly an area that has national minority status" - Camborne & Redruth MP Perran Moon @Perran4CRH on the idea the Govt might use new ministerial powers to impose a Devon & Cornwall mayor.
"I do think it's time for those people who do not live in Cornwall to stop advising Cornwall on what is best when it comes to devolution" - Camborne & Redruth MP Perran Moon @Perran4CRH says @cornwallchamber survey is latest evidence Cornwall doesn't want a joint mayor with Devon
"This is the way to cash for the region, it's also a way to power and influence" - Plymouth City Council leader @CouncillorTudor on the council's proposals for a combined authority with a mayor for Devon and Cornwall. @plymouthcc @CornwallCouncil
Martyn Oates retweeted
Just finished recording @sun_politics_sw with @bbcmartynoates. Devolution, social care and trains into London on the menu. Tune in on Sunday morning!
Policy document published ahead of tomorrow’s Extraordinary General Meeting at @plymouthcc “strongly advocates” a South West Peninsula Mayoral Strategic Authority for Devon and Cornwall. Says Cornwall’s inclusion is “vital”. @BBCDevon @BBCCornwall
The long era of optional devolution is over: Devolution Minister @JimfromOldham says ministers will get a new power "to create strategic authorities where absolutely necessary if local agreement has not been possible to achieve full coverage of devolution across England".
"Frankly there aren't enough hours in the day to keep on getting involved in local disputes about boundaries and identity" - @JimfromOldham addresses the "elephant in the room" of a Devon and Cornwall Combined Authority.
Devolution Minister @JimfromOldham appears virtually to give the green light to a unitary greater Exeter, prompted by @steveracemp. @ExeterCouncil @DevonCC