I want to thank the voters of Hornchurch & Upminster for returning me to office with such a terrific mandate. I am especially grateful for the understanding shown me during the campaign as a new mum - our little girl was born just eight days before the election was called! Ours is now the strongest Conservative seat in the capital but I want to assure residents that my team and I are committed to serving everyone regardless of party affiliation.

With this fresh start for our country, we are excited to get to work delivering our national and local pledges. After securing the money in the last parliament to build a new health centre in Hornchurch, my team met the St George’s NHS Hub team this week to ensure the new facility is delivered quickly and leads the way in integrated health and social care services.

This month we shall also be driving forward our Citizenship Programme with local schools to engage young people of all ages in politics. For primary children, we shall be hosting a debating competition with finals in Westminster. At secondary level, we are launching an essay-writing competition with the prize a week in our parliamentary and constituency offices.

We shall be pushing the Mayor to allocate Havering its share of the new police officers being recruited, and with more money now granted for every school child as well as extra cash for special educational needs, I shall be working with teachers on their next priorities.

Other exciting local projects include our Jobs Fair - postponed due to the election – a second Older People’s Fair, an export event for local businesses and an Environment Day to mark Britain’s hosting of the 2020 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November.

I wish you all a very happy 2020 - there is much to look forward to!