This summer marks one year since I was elected as the first Labour MP, and the first woman, to represent Aldershot and Farnborough. It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve this community, and I want to thank everyone who has supported, challenged, or simply shared their story with me over the past twelve months.

I stood for Parliament on a promise to stand up for this area and to bring new energy, visibility and accountability to this community. One year on, I’m proud of the start we’ve made.

I’ve worked hard to be as accessible and active as possible, holding regular advice surgeries, visiting every corner of the constituency, and responding to over 7,000 casework enquiries. My team and I have assisted with everything from supporting constituents through homelessness or health issues, to helping veterans secure the homes and pensions they deserve.

With Labour in government, I have been able to lobby Ministers successfully for a better deal for this area. I helped to secure £20 million to construct a new swimming pool in Farnborough, working with Rushmoor Council. I managed to win the case for Frimley Park Hospital to be among the first in the country to be rebuilt, after years of delays. And, I’m also pleased to have played a part in delivering real progress on long-standing local housing issues, from making sure the flats at Pinehurst Hill Side – formerly used for asylum-seekers – were released for local people, to boosting military housing repairs and a four-fold increase in the number of affordable homes to be built for local families.

One of the things I’ve enjoyed most has been spending time in our local schools, meeting brilliant students and dedicated teachers, and supporting the rollout of free breakfast clubs in local primaries. Since my children attend local schools, I see just how important this is. For me it’s personal.

These visits, along with the hundreds of community events I have attended, have brought home to me how rich in diversity and spirit our constituency is; from the quiet service of our Gurkha veterans to the rising talent of Farnborough FC Women and the trophy-winning Shots.

So, I’m determined to ensure good jobs and opportunities come our way.

With the government’s huge increase in defence investment, I’ve been working closely with local employers to take advantage of this opportunity and actively championing apprenticeships to make sure our young people have access to the jobs of the future.

There’s much more to do. Our town centres need a boost, and I’m working with Rushmoor Council and local businesses to push forward regeneration plans. Our public services are still in need of increased investment.

I’ll keep standing up for this community. And, I’ll fighting keep for fairness and decency in politics, because trust in public life matters.

I will never take your trust for granted. Whether you voted for me or not, I will always do my best to represent you with integrity, hard work, and hope for what we can achieve together.

Thank you for the privilege of serving you.