One year ago today, I was honoured to be elected to represent Rutland, Stamford and the Harborough and Stamford Villages. In a difficult night for my party it meant the world to have your support and I have been working hard since then to pay back your trust.
So what’s the last year looked like? Here’s a few of the things I’ve been working on:
I am proud to have secured vital safety upgrades to the A1 (works done!) – including the closure of 13 central reservation crossings (start next week).
Rutland’s New Bus Service funded by the £6.5 million I secured from Government with the previous Conservative council at RCC launched. Over 1,500 passengers used the service in its first two months.
The building of Anglian Water’s pipeline through Lincolnshire has resumed 18 months earlier than planned following my intervention.
I launched the campaign to save the county of Rutland’s ceremonial status and presented our petition – signed by over 7000 Rutlanders – to Parliament, making it one of the biggest wet petitions presented to Parliament this century.
Work began on Houghton on the Hill pavilion, partly funded by Government funds I helped secure.
I have been working to secure a second GP practice for Stamford. More to come on that one with an update for you next month I hope!
Opened Barrowden’s New community hub having worked with the village for the last few years and secured funding from Government for them.
Together, we saved Rutland‘s fortnightly black bin collection using my petition to make clear the opposition to the council’s considerations.
Welcomed news the re-build of Casterton College will be honoured.
I re-launched Rutland’s Great Dementia Campaign, picking up on my work before the election to de-stigmatise dementia, and increase awareness of it and local diagnosis rates.
I held the first Rutland and Stamford Disability Forum, which brought stakeholders, charities and those with lived experience together to make connections and identify issues affecting residents living with a wide range of disabilities.
I’ve held public meetings to keep you all informed about Local Government Reform.
I have been working to improve our mobile phone and broadband services locally - watch this space because good news is coming!
I’m working to stop the stink in Corby Glen and have secured significant action by the Council and developers which I hope will see it resolved soon.
Brought the Shadow Farming Minister to meet local farmers. I also held meetings with Farmers in Lincolnshire to identify how I can support them in the face of Government attacks.
Met with family-owned businesses to listen to how I can advocate for them with Government.
launched a petition with neighbouring MPs to stop the takeover of the Harborough villages by Leicester’s Mayor.
Ran an awareness campaign locally to get more of our older community signed up for pension credit to help mitigate the impact of Winter Fuel Cuts.
Worked to support villages and towns to make sure we are better prepared for future flooding. Held our councils to account on taking action. 
Worked to support our independent shops with my Independent shop competition. 
I am pleased to have supported residents with problems they have faced, including resolving longstanding disputes with the DWP regarding pensions and benefits, licencing issues with the DVLA and DVSA and to have helped residents access vital support from health and social services and assisted residents with issues relating to billing and meters with utility companies.
Since last July, I have served as Shadow Foreign Minister, and currently as Shadow Minister for Safeguarding and National Security.
As Shadow Minister for Safeguarding, I have held the Government to account on protecting the vulnerable and successfully secured a ban on non-fatal strangulation in porn.
Away from the political benches, I have continued to support Bosnia and Herzegovina through my role as Chair of the Bosnia and Herzegovina APPG, and as Chair of the Arbitrary Detention APPG, I have continued to fight to bring British Nationals detained unjustly abroad home.
Then just before Christmas, it was a wonderful surprise to win the award for Best Member of Parliament!
I’m sure there’s more to report, but this is all I could think of just now!
The past year has been really difficult, from adjusting to being in opposition and the realities of trying to challenge a super-majority, to my health challenges which overshadowed so much of the last few months. But despite it all, it still brings me the most enormous joy to fight for residents and have the opportunity to do what I can to serve Rutland and Stamford and solve problems for our communities. As always, my team (without whom I’d be lost) and I are here to help if you have a problem.
