‘My part of Devon submerged and needs better flood defences’, MP demands

A Devon MP has pushed for greater financial support for flooding after telling Parliament that his part of the county was “submerged” amid this week’s storms.

Richard Foord, the Liberal Democrat member for Honiton and Sidmouth, addressed the weekly Parliamentary landmark event, Prime Ministers Questions, with his push for better support, as parts of his constituency found themselves fighting a losing battle against flood waters.
“The Met Office reports that climate change is driving wetter winters, yet the US withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement yesterday, on the same day that much of the westcountry disappeared under flood water,” he said.
“My part of Devon is submerged and needs better flood defences. Would the deputy prime minister like to invite his US counterpart for a fishing trip in the South West.”
David Lammy, the deputy prime minister who was standing in for the prime minister Keir Starmer who is in China, quipped that he would “get a licence if I do”.
However, he added that his “sympathies are with [Mr Foord’s] constituents who have been affected”.
“We are investing a record £10.5 billion in flood defences to protect 890,000 homes,” Mr Lammy said.
“We inherited the current flood defences from the party opposite, which were shameful, but we have committed to net zero and the Paris Climate Agreement, which is good for lowering bills, and investment and jobs in the UK.”
Mr Foord’s question came just after comments to the Local Democracy Reporting Service about the damage in his constituency from flooding.
“Storm Chandra has left a brutal trail of destruction across Mid and East Devon, with dozens of businesses and schools forced to close,” he said.
“I’ve been shocked at the pictures of communities under water, in ways that we have not seen for decades.
“I commend community-spirited residents and local farmers who have come to the rescue of people stuck in floodwater.”
He added that Ottery St Mary, Honiton, Axminster, Cullompton and Colyton were among towns affected, along with surrounding villages.
“I am particularly dismayed at the images of Tipton St John Primary School, whose grounds resemble a lake once again,” he said.
“The community here desperately needs plans progressed for a new school on higher ground in the village. I will work with local councillors to do what I can to bring this about.”
Mr Foord added the risk to life red ‘severe flood warning’ to the River Otter (one of only two such warnings in the UK on Tuesday 27 January), has now been lifted but a flood alert remains in place.