It has been a real honour and privilege to have served as the Member of Parliament for Cannock Chase since May 2015. The last two years have flown by and it feels like only yesterday that I was elected.
In that time I have had the chance to help thousands of local residents with their problems. I have visited amazing local businesses which make products that are shipped across the globe. At local schools I have had the opportunity to speak to your children about their ambitions and future. I have met with local charities and groups that do so much fantastic work to support our local community.
Locally we have also had some big issues to deal with. Last June saw the closure of Rugeley B Power Station, we had the illegal waste fire at Slitting Mill, seen chronic overcrowding on the Chase Line and the loss of some of our bus services – to name a few.
I have never backed away from a fight. On these and other issues I have always endeavoured to ensure the residents' views are heard loud and clear. I have made sure that the interests of Cannock Chase have been represented at all levels of Government and in Westminster.
But the work is not finished. Cannock Chase has exciting times ahead but only if we are ambitious, bold and visionary in our plans for our area. I go into this General Election seeking to continue as the Member of Parliament for Cannock Chase to deliver this vision.
Last year, the country and constituents here in Cannock Chase voted to leave the EU. I have been clear since last June that we now need to make this happen. I am proud that as an MP I voted to enable the Prime Minister to trigger Article 50, which she did at the end of March. This was the first step on our journey in leaving the EU. But we need this election now to secure the strong and stable leadership the country needs to see us through Brexit process and beyond.
There is a very clear choice at this election – the strong and stable leadership of Mrs May and the Conservative Party or a weak and unstable coalition government led by Jeremy Corbyn. I want to continue championing Cannock Chase, continue driving your agenda on both a local and national level and continue working with you. Together we can make a better and more prosperous Cannock Chase.