I’D like to start by thanking everyone who voted in the General Election. Whether you voted for me or not, it is so important for people to take part in the democratic process. I’m committed to serving every member of our community, and it is an absolute honour to represent my hometown in Westminster.

What a whirlwind it has been! After the announcement of the election results in the early hours of Friday July 5, by Sunday I was in London and starting induction training by Monday. My life has certainly been turned upside down. But I’m proud to be serving you as part of the most diverse government this country has ever seen. There is much to do and learn and I’m in the process of recruiting staff to my team and setting up a constituency office.

Many of you have asked if I will remain as a councillor for Wollaston and Stourbridge Town, a role I have held since 2022 and re-elected to in May this year with a stomping majority. I’m proud of the strong team we’ve built in Stourbridge, and I will continue to serve as a local councillor for now. I have however relinquished my councillor allowance so now serve on a voluntary basis.

In these first short weeks I’ve had to get to grips with a myriad of Parliamentary procedures, finding my way around the labyrinth of corridors and meeting hundreds of new people. It is exciting and terrifying, but a total privilege and I’m so pleased to be here.

The King’s Speech has been the highlight for me. Being inside the Lord’s chamber and hearing King Charles read out our manifesto commitments was incredible. I affirmed my oath of allegiance to the House and met Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, a fellow animal lover who recently adopted a new cat, Clem, to join his menagerie!

I’ve attended many events and meetings down in Westminster, including the Community Wealth Fund drop-in, West Midlands Business Reception, and Banning Trophy Hunting event where I spoke with Sir Ranulph Fiennes. I attended a West Midlands meeting with Louise Haigh, Secretary of State for Transport, and her team to highlight issues in our own areas and how we can address them. I also attended the inaugural All Party Parliamentary Group meeting on Climate Change – an issue close to my heart and follows on from sitting on the Climate Change Scrutiny Committee at Dudley Council.

I was one of the first new MPs to ask questions in the House of Commons chamber. The first was during the Covid Inquiry Debate on Friday July 19, where I related my own experiences of being a frontline NHS worker to ask whether the views and experiences of frontline staff will be taken into future pandemic planning. On Thursday July 25, I asked my second question on behalf of a constituent, about statutory adoption pay for self-employed people.

With the new government taking the unusual step of keeping their MPs in Westminster for the full working week to push through the King’s Speech debates, I have spent my weekends back in Stourbridge. I attended a police surgery in Stourbridge Library on Saturday July 20 and assisted local councillors and community members drive forward a Stourbridge Library of Things. I visited Stourbridge Fire Station to celebrate the 50th anniversary of West Midlands Fire Service, attended the Brier Fair in Brierley Hill, and visited various local businesses in the community.

I’m now back in Stourbridge for the summer recess, where I will spend the summer meeting with constituents and stakeholders and attending local functions and businesses. One of my first priorities is to hold drop-in sessions for pensioners concerned by the winter-fuel payment announcement, and successfully held the first session on Sunday August 4. I’ll soon be organising local surgeries across the constituency and be a visible, accountable, and approachable representative.