This has been a fascinating few weeks.  Whilst the learning curve continues to be steep as a new MP, I am delighted to have established an office in both Westminster and Bracknell, finalised my new team, got a good feel for Parliamentary procedure and asked some early questions in the House.  Having been successful in the ballot for Prime Minister’s Questions, I was grateful to be given the opportunity of asking about the post-Brexit economy and was pleased with the response that ‘Bracknell will be at the epicentre of global free trade’.  Whilst there is much to be done in terms of achieving a good agreement with the EU, Bracknell has everything to gain from new global business opportunities.

Now that Brexit has been enshrined in law with the safe passage of the Withdrawal Agreement through the Commons and Lords respectively, it is good to see new evidence from the CBI of enhanced business confidence right across the UK.  With more people in work than ever before and the economy showing no obvious signs of grinding to a halt – as the doomsayers feared - we must not of course be complacent and still have work to do to ensure that global Britain pitches itself accordingly.  Aside from promoting our exports, I would also urge people to ‘Buy British’ as our products and services are excellent, our skilled workforce is amongst the best in the World and we have much to be proud of.

In terms of my early priorities, I do want to ensure that our constituency is a better place to live, work and play by supporting all those who have made their home here, empowering our young people with better schools, colleges and apprenticeships, promoting healthy living and leisure facilities and getting tougher on crime with more Police on our streets.  Our social care and NHS facilities need improving too and it is right that we focus on health.  We must also preserve our green spaces, reduce congestion, protect the environment and slow down our house-building programme, which is what I discussed with the Housing Minister today.  Above all, I want to run regular surgeries and be a visible, loyal and hard-working MP as a strong local champion.  Several of the issues on which I campaigned in 2019 have already featured during my early surgeries and I intend to work closely with Bracknell Forest Council and Wokingham Borough Council in helping those who most need our support.