This is why I have done all I can since being elected in 2005 to fight service closures and highlight fair funding for rural Shropshire.
Most recently this battle has been to prevent penal business rates from leading rural petrol stations to cease selling fuel.
This week I am chairing in Parliament the first of two cross-party evidence sessions trying to understand the basis of the present highly complex funding formulae for allocation of health and education spending.
A fundamental change in approach is now required that recognises the vital community role played by local facilities and the added cost of doing so in sparsely populated rural areas.
Over recent months we have set out our policies to rectify the urban-rural divide, to ensure our rural communities are viable and that our young people can find meaningful employment, good prospects and a sense of belonging in the area where they have grown up.
Last week Conservatives revealed plans to make it easier for super-fast broadband to reach rural areas, in contrast to Labour's self-defeating proposals for a telephone tax.
In the weeks ahead I hope to highlight our policies to revive the rural economy and give power back to local people.
If you have concerns about specific aspects of life in rural Shropshire please bring them to my attention.