We had another round of good jobs figures last week, with the number of jobseekers in the Chippenham constituency falling by more than a third in the past year, to its lowest level in more than six years.

The steps the Liberal Democrats have taken in Coalition Government to build a stronger economy are paying off. The investments we’ve made in manufacturing, green energy, railways and roads have helped businesses to create 1.8 million new jobs, several hundred of them in our part of Wiltshire.

I am delighted that people in Scotland came out in large numbers to vote to remain part of the United Kingdom and keep our family of nations together. Separation has been rejected decisively, but the debate about the distribution of power in our country is far from over.

As the Scottish Parliament gets more control over what happens there, it is natural that questions are raised about the rest of the UK.

However, focusing on the narrow issue of which MPs in Westminster vote on which parts of legislation does little to address the real challenge.

Nor do I think people want a whole new regional tier of elected politicians. Instead, local councils and economic partnerships should have greater influence over decisions affecting their area.

The Local Growth Deals introduced by the Liberal Democrats in Government, including one for Swindon and Wiltshire announced this summer, are a first step towards that, putting control over infrastructure, business support and housing into local hands.

Disillusionment in and disengagement from politics far predates Scottish devolution. For too long, the politicians you get to vote for don’t appear to make a difference and, as I observed earlier this year, turnout at elections is low and falling.

It doesn’t have to be this way. When presented with a clear choice between outcomes that would affect their daily lives, Scots got involved and turned out in numbers not seen in UK elections for more than 60 years.

I recently met Melksham resident Emma Simonsen, who’s campaigning, with the help of youth voice organisation Fixers, to raise awareness of trichotillomania, a condition where a person feels compelled to pull out their hair. It’s Emma’s hope that young people especially will not suffer in silence. Her website www.trichster.fixers. org.uk is worth a visit.

My next constituency surgery will be at The Pound in Corsham on September 29 from 1-2.30pm.