FOREST of Dean MP Matt Bishop has reflected on an “unforgettable” Labour Party Conference after taking part in discussions on access to legal support and backing a series of announcements from the party leadership.

Mr Bishop attended the conference this week, where he joined a panel examining how unresolved legal issues can affect constituents, businesses and public services.

The Forest of Dean MP appeared alongside former education secretary Justine Greening, justice minister Sarah Sackman MP, David Haynes and Jay Prosser for the discussion.

The panel considered ways communities could be helped to access local services offering timely advice and tailored support, including greater awareness, improved education and closer collaboration between legal professionals and MPs’ offices.

Mr Bishop said the discussion focused on practical ways of making support more accessible and personalised, while helping people find appropriate advice when they need it.

He said he wanted to continue working with those involved to expand access to alternative sources of support and help ensure courts were available for people who genuinely needed them.

Following the conference, Mr Bishop also said there had been a “real sense of optimism” among Labour members despite the challenges facing the country.

He said the central message running through the gathering was that power should belong to the people and communities directly affected by decisions made by national government.

He highlighted several announcements from the Prime Minister’s conference speech, including plans for a National Care Service providing free personal care at the point of use and proposals for greater public control and accountability over water companies.

Mr Bishop also welcomed plans for Great British Grid, intended to speed up energy connections, increase competition and reduce costs, alongside proposals for more council homes, further housing reforms and action against rogue landlords.

He pointed to electoral reform and discussions about a stronger long-term relationship with Europe among other areas raised during the conference.

Bringing the national political discussions back to his constituency, Mr Bishop said rebuilding the country’s foundations had to include creating opportunities in communities such as the Forest of Dean.

He argued that devolution should mean trusting local people to understand what their communities needed and said rebuilding public services required listening to those who used them.

Mr Bishop said conversations taking place around dinner tables, at work, in pubs and at school gates about bills, children’s futures and local communities should also be reflected in Westminster.

He used his conference reflections to reiterate two of his local priorities, including his campaign for a new school building for Forest High School and Project Elton.

Project Elton is a regeneration initiative which Mr Bishop has repeatedly placed at the centre of his plans for the constituency.

He said the conference had strengthened his belief that politics could deliver improvements for communities and expressed hope that the country could “grow again” and “build again”.

Mr Bishop added that he believed the “best days for the Forest of Dean are still ahead” as he returned from the party’s annual gathering.