PRIME Minister Boris Johnson breezed into Taunton today (Thursday, January 20) as if he didn't have a care in the world.

He was given a tour of the Rutherford Diagnostic Centre on the town's Blackbrook Business Park.

Mr Johnson took time out to talk to the County Gazette.

In an upbeat interview, asked if he was currently enjoying his job with all the controversy of 'Partygate', Mr Johnson said: "It's the biggest privilege in the world.

"I absolutely love the job."

Somerset County Gazette:

He added: "We're specifically ruthlessly concentrating on things people want us to do.

"We got elected two years ago or so to deliver change and level up across the country."

Referring to sheets of notes, he said he was pleased with projects in Taunton, praising Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow for helping to deliver schemes such as fixing the A358; improving Station Approach in Taunton, which he remembers from his childhood, when he lived in West Somerset; and health, with massive investment in Musgrove Park Hospital, despite the backlog of treatments caused by the pandemic, which needs to be fixed.

Mr Johnson said: "We have come through, I hope, the worst of the pandemic now, moving from Plan B back to Plan A.

"We've removed a lot of restrictions and rules.

"But it's left a huge number of people who didn't get the treatment needed. We're focussed on health care."

The PM described Ms Pow as "an absolutely fantastic MP and a formidable campaigner for Taunton and Somerset, as well as a great Minister".

"She has an amazing record of delivery for the people of Somerset," added Mr Johnson.