When I campaign for your vote during general elections, I always promise that I will be accountable to you. When you did me the honour of electing me as Wealden's MP in 2015 and it was time to give my maiden speech in the House of Commons, I pledged to follow the advice of Winnie the Pooh when he said that "You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes."
I hold regular surgeries in Uckfield, Crowborough and Hailsham, but as the MP for the whole of Wealden it's my aim to make myself and my services accessible to Wealden's rural communities in addition to its main towns. That's why I took myself around the constituency in an ice cream van in August 2015, to suit the summer sun, touring Wealden's villages and towns to meet with members of the public who had questions, concerns of personal difficulties that I might be able to help with. As well as those who just wanted to say hello!
Making people aware that they can raise any issue with their MP is an important part of the job, and my tour was just one way of living up to my promises and showing that I was serious when I said I would be accountable.
I have been to Crowborough Station, Morrisons Crowborough, Frant, Wadhurst, Mayfield, Forest Row, Hartfield, Uckfield High Street, Highlands Inn Uckfield, East Hoathly, Hellingly, Hailsham High Street and Hailsham East Community Centre, and was overwhelmed by the reaction at every single stop.
Surgeries throughout the Covid-19 pandemic
The pandemic has changed the way I work and prevented me from being able to hold surgeries face-to-face. However, I continued to host weekly virtual and telephone surgeries, which had become daily throughout the periods of national lockdowns to help residents, schools, businesses and other organisation with urgent cases and crisis support. I have been representing your views in the Chamber and remained in close correspondence with Ministers directly.
I look forward to resuming face-to-face meetings across Wealden again, when the circumstances allow. Until then, if you need my assistance, please do get in touch on [email protected] or call 020 7219 4619 for further information.
I look forward to seeing you soon!