Thank you for re-electing me as your Member of Parliament. I am humbled and honoured by the level of support you gave me. Over the coming term I will work to repay that faith and to defend what makes Hertsmere such a special place to live.

Locally, I know how concerned people are about infrastructure. My top priorities include championing improvements to our rail services, particularly ensuring we get Oyster in place in Radlett by 2018. There is clearly a case for a new school to serve Radlett and Bushey. I started work to bring parties together in the last Parliament and will continue to push for this over this term. There are also many threats to our quality of life. I’ll continue to work to resist the rail freight terminal and ensure that precious green open spaces such as Aldenham Reservoir are preserved.

Nationally, the result was disappointing. There are many lessons for the Conservative Party to learn, but the immediate challenge for our country is to form an effective government that can command the support of Members of Parliament. A stable government is essential for us to start tackling many of the challenges that we face as a nation. These include achieving an effective Brexit deal, countering rising threats to our national security and managing the economy through a difficult period. This will require the Conservative Party to work with others but I am clear that in doing so we must not compromise our values of openness and tolerance.

As I seek to address these challenges I will, as ever, be guided by you, the people who elected me.