Blog.

Rebecca was elected in July 2024 as the Member of Parliament for South West Devon, one of just 26 newly elected Conservative MPs. Growing up locally, Rebecca is a passionate advocate in Westminster for this idyllic corner of Devon and its proud residents who also call it home. Her membership of Conservative Friends of the Armed Forces, Conservative Environment Network, Conservative Rural Forum and the Conservative Christian Fellowship reflect just some of her long-held interests which she actively campaigns for in Parliament.

She has also served as the Councillor for Plymstock Radford ward on Plymouth City Council since 2018, taking on senior roles which include Chair of the Planning Committee, Cabinet Member for Homes and Communities and Chair of the Commission on Violence against Women and Girls. Rebecca has also worked for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, leading their public engagement across the South West.

Rebecca is a Junior Whip and part of the Shadow Department for Work and Pensions team. As such, she recently served as Junior Minister in the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill Committee. She is also a member of Parliament’s Transport Committee and sat on the Renters’ Rights Bill Committee.

Rebecca Smith MP: The sacrifices made by Commonwealth troops in The Great War must not be forgotten

On Thursday, 5 March, ahead of Commonwealth Day, I delivered a speech in Parliament paying tribute to the sacrifices of Commonwealth troops in the First World War and stressed the need to ensure their service is never forgotten.

The importance of commemoration is felt particularly strongly in South West Devon, which has the third-highest number of veterans in the country and is home to 42 Commando, Royal Marines in Bickleigh. Personally, I am proud to have worked for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) before being elected as a Member of Parliament, helping to ensure that the personal stories of the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice lives on.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission represents six countries whose troops came together from the Commonwealth to serve in both world wars: the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa. However, along with these six countries, many others are represented. There are CWGC sites in 23,000 locations, and 153 countries and territories.

In South West Devon, 137 people from Commonwealth troops are commemorated across 26 sites. Of those, 61 are from World War I, and they served at least five nations. Plymouth as a whole commemorates over 25,000, most significantly on the naval memorial on Plymouth Hoe, but also right across the city in local churchyards and villages.

The role of the CWGC is to commemorate those troops and to tell their stories. A big part of that is a project called “Evermore”. I would like to use the remaining part of this op-ed to highlight a few of these stories in South West Devon which can we found on the commission’s website.

Ernest John Quest

Ernest John Quest would have been a constituent of mine, were he still alive. He was born in Lee Moor, near the China clay works, and was buried in the Methodist graveyard. He joined the Australian munitions workers, having gone out to Australia as a British man in his early 20s. He came back towards the end of World War I and served in munitions to ensure that we had enough equipment to fight the war. He came back at the beginning of 1918 and sadly, by the end of the year, he had died of pneumonia. As he was in the UK doing that work, he could be buried close to home with a private memorial. He does not have a commission headstone; his family put their own headstone in place for him.

James Wilson

James Wilson was from an equally small part of my constituency, Yelverton on Dartmoor. Anybody from the village will know the Devon Tors hotel, a key landmark on a big roundabout. His father ran it as a boarding house. He, too, went to Australia, and was a single farmer in 1915 when he enlisted. He served with the Australian Imperial Force in France. Sadly, he died just after the war of influenza and pneumonia and was buried in the village of Meavy on Dartmoor.

The Tucker Brothers

Finally, I want to speak of a family, the Tuckers of Yealmpton. Three brothers were killed between 12 March 1917 and 10 August 1918. They are commemorated in Tyne Cot, and in two French cemeteries. One is missing—we do not know where he is buried— but his brothers have graves. All of them are commemorated by the family back home in Devon.

Each of these stories reminds us that World War I, like so many other conflicts in our nation’s history, was fought by young men and now women from ordinary backgrounds. Our history books are filled with stories of great battles led by formidable commanders such as Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh of Plymouth. Yet we must also make room for the brave, ordinary Britons and their Commonwealth comrades whose courage and sacrifice were just as vital.

Rebecca Smith MP backs New Deal for Young People to support next generation in South West Devon

• As the Conservatives are changing, under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership, the party sets out New Deal for Young People – a plan for younger voters who have been neglected for too long – building on our Stamp Duty Offer from Conference.
• This includes scrapping real interest on Plan 2 Student Loans, saving graduates in South West Devon tens of thousands of pounds.
• 100,000 more 18–21 year olds in apprenticeships by funding their training and supporting employers with up to £5,000 for each 18–21-year-old apprentice they take on who is a British citizen.
• First Job Bonus will let young people in South West Devon keep the first £5,000 of National Insurance they would have paid when starting their first job.
• New Deal funded by ending rip-off low-value university degrees.

Rebecca Smith, Member of Parliament for South West Devon has welcomed plans put forward by the Conservatives on their New Deal for Young People – a new plan to support young people and demonstrating the new direction of the Party under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership. Too many young people in South West Devon are working hard but finding the system is not working for them. Youth unemployment remains high, graduate recruitment has fallen, and too many young people are moving from education straight onto welfare – with 700,000 graduates now on benefits.

That is why the Conservatives are setting out a New Deal to fix it.

Firstly, we will abolish real interest rates on Plan 2 Student Loans. This will ensure student loan balances will never rise faster than RPI inflation. This will benefit millions of English undergraduates who started courses between 2012/13 and 2022/23.

Plan 2 loan graduates have seen the balance they owe rise for years, even while repayments are made – with the IFS estimating that the average Plan 2 Graduate needs to earn £66,000 a year just to keep pace with the interest.

This leads to an endless cycle of debt for too many whilst the taxpayer has to pick up the tab for those who are never able to fully repay their balance and write off their loans.

Indicatively, a doctor in 2029 with £80,000 of student debt will save £58,000 in lifetime repayments and clear their loans, while a graduate with £40,000 of student debt on a salary of £50,000 would save £26,000 in lifetime repayments – and would clear their loan five years faster than under the current system.

Secondly, we will put an end to low-value “debt-trap” degrees and give young people proper choice at 18 by making apprenticeships a real alternative to university by helping 100,000 more young people into apprenticeships every year.

We will lift the cap on apprenticeship funding for 18–21 year-olds, introducing an Apprenticeships Guarantee so employers seeking to take on young apprentices can access funded training.

Alongside this, we will provide employers up to £5,000 through the BRITS scheme for each 18–21-year-old apprentice they take on who is a British citizen — backing businesses in South West Devon to invest in local young people.

Thirdly, we will directly encourage young people into work with our First Job Bonus. This will mean the first £5,000 of National Insurance paid by any British citizen starting their first full time equivalent job will be placed into a personal savings account instead, earmarked for a first-home deposit or future savings.

This New Deal will be funded through delivering savings from cutting rip-off university places and low-value degrees that end up saddling the public finances with additional debt that individuals cannot repay.

Bold action is needed to restore fairness to the system and ensure young people in South West Devon get the best possible opportunities.

Rebecca Smith, Member of Parliament for South West Devon, said:

“Giving young people in South West Devon a decent start to their working life is so important. I know firsthand how paying student loan payments can hinder saving for your first home. I also hear from local businesses who can no longer afford apprenticeships for local young people. That’s why our New Deal for Young People presents such a positive opportunity for local young people, their families and our local businesses.”

Rebecca Smith MP launches “Best Pub of the Year 2026” competition

Rebecca Smith, MP for South West Devon has officially launched her “Best Pub of the Year 2026” competition, highlighting the vital role pubs play in communities across South West Devon. 

“Our pubs are central to community life across South West Devon,” Miss Smith said. “They provide employment, support local suppliers, and bring people together. Yet under the current Labour Government, rising costs and higher taxes are putting unnecessary pressure on the sector. It is vital that our pubs are supported to grow and thrive, not burdened by policies that risk pushing them to the brink.” 

Last year’s winner, The London Inn in Plympton, set a high standard. This year, residents will have the opportunity to help determine which pub claims the top spot, recognising those that continue to make a real difference in their communities. 

The competition is open to all pubs across South West Devon. Voting is now open and will continue until the 3^rd April 2026, after which an overall winner will be announced. 

Miss. Smith added, “I look forward to visiting pubs throughout the competition and meeting landlords, staff and customers. This competition recognises the dedication and hard work of our local pubs and celebrates the positive impact they have across the place we are proud to call home.” 

Residents are invited to cast their votes and support their favourite local pub which they can do so here: www.rebecca-smith.org.uk/news/rebecca-launches-her-best-local-pub-2026-competition. 

Rebecca Smith MP backs New Deal for Young People to support next generation in South West Devon

• As the Conservatives are changing, under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership, the party sets out New Deal for Young People – a plan for younger voters who have been neglected for too long – building on our Stamp Duty Offer from Conference.
• This includes scrapping real interest on Plan 2 Student Loans, saving graduates in South West Devon tens of thousands of pounds.
• 100,000 more 18–21 year olds in apprenticeships by funding their training and supporting employers with up to £5,000 for each 18–21-year-old apprentice they take on who is a British citizen.
• First Job Bonus will let young people in South West Devon keep the first £5,000 of National Insurance they would have paid when starting their first job.
• New Deal funded by ending rip-off low-value university degrees.

Rebecca Smith, Member of Parliament for South West Devon has welcomed plans put forward by the Conservatives on their New Deal for Young People – a new plan to support young people and demonstrating the new direction of the Party under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership. Too many young people in South West Devon are working hard but finding the system is not working for them. Youth unemployment remains high, graduate recruitment has fallen, and too many young people are moving from education straight onto welfare – with 700,000 graduates now on benefits.

That is why the Conservatives are setting out a New Deal to fix it.

Firstly, we will abolish real interest rates on Plan 2 Student Loans. This will ensure student loan balances will never rise faster than RPI inflation. This will benefit millions of English undergraduates who started courses between 2012/13 and 2022/23.

Plan 2 loan graduates have seen the balance they owe rise for years, even while repayments are made – with the IFS estimating that the average Plan 2 Graduate needs to earn £66,000 a year just to keep pace with the interest.

This leads to an endless cycle of debt for too many whilst the taxpayer has to pick up the tab for those who are never able to fully repay their balance and write off their loans.

Indicatively, a doctor in 2029 with £80,000 of student debt will save £58,000 in lifetime repayments and clear their loans, while a graduate with £40,000 of student debt on a salary of £50,000 would save £26,000 in lifetime repayments – and would clear their loan five years faster than under the current system.

Secondly, we will put an end to low-value “debt-trap” degrees and give young people proper choice at 18 by making apprenticeships a real alternative to university by helping 100,000 more young people into apprenticeships every year.

We will lift the cap on apprenticeship funding for 18–21 year-olds, introducing an Apprenticeships Guarantee so employers seeking to take on young apprentices can access funded training.

Alongside this, we will provide employers up to £5,000 through the BRITS scheme for each 18–21-year-old apprentice they take on who is a British citizen — backing businesses in South West Devon to invest in local young people.

Thirdly, we will directly encourage young people into work with our First Job Bonus. This will mean the first £5,000 of National Insurance paid by any British citizen starting their first full time equivalent job will be placed into a personal savings account instead, earmarked for a first-home deposit or future savings.

This New Deal will be funded through delivering savings from cutting rip-off university places and low-value degrees that end up saddling the public finances with additional debt that individuals cannot repay.

Bold action is needed to restore fairness to the system and ensure young people in South West Devon get the best possible opportunities.

Rebecca Smith, Member of Parliament for South West Devon, said:

“Giving young people in South West Devon a decent start to their working life is so important. I know firsthand how paying student loan payments can hinder saving for your first home. I also hear from local businesses who can no longer afford apprenticeships for local young people. That’s why our New Deal for Young People presents such a positive opportunity for local young people, their families and our local businesses.”

Rebecca Smith MP: The Government’s SEND plans leave parents in the lurch

On Monday, 23rd February the Government’s highly anticipated special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms were announced in Parliament.

We now know that Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) will be reserved for children with the most complex needs. Many other children will receive new “individual support plans”, which do not carry the same legal protections as EHCPs. Councils will have greater responsibility for school placements, while mainstream schools will be expected to provide inclusive support for the majority of SEND children. £4 billion of funding has been announced over three years to support these reforms, barely enough to cover one part time teaching assistant per primary school and two per secondary school.

Yet, despite the Government’s plans being set out in a 300-page white paper, there is still much we do not know. For example, we do not know exactly how children will qualify for an EHCP in the future and no clear eligibility criteria for the so-called specialist provision has been set out. Nor do we know how the Government will fill its £6 billion SEND black hole, brought about by cancelling the debt Local Authorities have accrued with no indication of how. Parents deserve certainty, clarity, and stronger support on an issue so central to their children’s development, with cast-iron guarantees that no child currently receiving support will lose it.

 Locally, SEND pressures are acute, with assessment reaching timescales of 52 weeks. I have met with many local families struggling with the SEND system and am currently supporting 31 individual SEND cases which clearly reflect the scale of the challenge facing families in South West Devon. SEND support desperately needs reforming, a principle which we, as Conservatives, support, but it must be done in a thoughtful and balanced way that is clearly communicated to parents.

After the Secretary of State made her SEND announcements in the House of Commons, I asked how her plans for schools to play a much greater role in determining pupils’ support needs would avoid pitting parents and schools against one another in their shared pursuit of the best outcomes for local children and young people. Too often relationships between schools and parents fighting for their children are tense and these SEND reforms must not exacerbate this. The Minister recognised this and set out the Government’s expectations that schools should be engaging with parents. The white paper includes plans to introduce a new pupil engagement framework shaped by children, parents and schools; set clear minimum expectations for home-to-school partnerships; strengthen attendance and behaviour support; and give parents a rounded picture of their child’s education, using school profiles to present the latest information about schools in one place. I will be watching how this develops closely.

I will also be pressing for clarity on funding, safeguards and parental rights, and I will continue to stand up for families who rely on enforceable support for their children.

In order to help shape my contributions in Parliament as these SEND reforms progress, I want to hear directly from you. If you have a child with SEND or you are a parent, carer, teacher or family member supporting someone, please consider taking a few minutes to complete my survey. Your experiences will be incredibly important as the Government’s plans are brought forward. Please share your views here: www.rebecca-smith.org.uk/news/rebecca-launches-survey-hear-residents-send-support-and-reforms

04/02/2026

“On Friday I will be speaking at Reclaim the Night, standing with survivors and campaigners against sexual violence and with every woman and girl who deserves to feel safe. That is why what unfolded in Parliament tonight matters so deeply.

For months, my Conservative colleagues and I have been demanding the government release files about Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as Ambassador to Washington. This matters because it is not about political point scoring – it is about protecting women and girls and ensuring those responsible for serious abuse and those who attempted to cover it up are held to account. We now know the Prime Minister was aware of Mandelson’s links to Epstein before giving him one of our most sensitive diplomatic roles. For the women and girls in South West Devon and for survivors everywhere, this is not abstract politics. It is a failure of leadership that puts trust and safety at risk.

Whilst I am relieved that the government will finally release the files, we must never forget the heinous crimes committed and those who attempted to cover them up. Women and girls deserve leaders who put their safety first and justice for victims must never be treated as optional.”

Rebecca Smith MP launches petition to enshrine veterans’ and armed forces rail discounts

Rebecca Smith, MP for South West Devon, has today launched a petition calling on the Government to guarantee the Veterans Railcard and HM Forces Railcard in law, warning that without statutory protection these vital discounts could be removed in the future.

The petition follows a debate in Parliament on the Government’s Railways Bill, which will restructure and renationalise the railway network. While the Bill explicitly protects rail discounts for other passengers, it does not currently guarantee railcards for veterans or serving members of the armed forces on the face of the legislation.

The Veterans Railcard was introduced under the last Conservative government following work led by Johnny Mercer, former Minister for Defence People and Veterans. Launched in 2020, the scheme provides eligible UK veterans with one-third off most rail fares across Great Britain. The HM Forces Railcard offers similar discounts to serving personnel and their families.

During the Bill’s Committee stage, Conservative MPs tabled amendments and forced ten votes aimed at securing legal protection for both the Veterans Railcard and the HM Forces Railcard. These proposals were opposed and voted down by Labour MPs, leaving the future of the railcards dependent on Government assurances rather than statute.

Speaking after the vote, Miss Smith said:

“When it comes to something as important as support for veterans and serving personnel, words aren’t enough. If the Government believes that veterans and our Armed Forces matter, they should do the right thing and support them in this small but significant way.”

Speaking of the launch of her petition Miss. Smith also said:

 “This petition is about urging the Government to protect these benefits for the long term and recognising the service and sacrifice of the armed forces community.”

Miss. Smith is urging constituents and members of the public to sign the petition to show their support for keeping these vital railcards protected in legislation as the Railways Bill continues its passage through Parliament. The link to the petition can be found here: