• What have you learned from 2022 that you're bringing into 2023? 

2022 has been another eventful, tempestuous and challenging year. I have learned to make the most of the time I have both as your Member of Parliament, and a Minister, serving the public. As always I have learned to cherish and protect what we have, especially family and friends.  

• What are you most excited for this year? 

I always look forward to continuing my local visits to schools, synagogues, community groups, charities, pubs, businesses and more. It is a pleasure meeting so many of you out and about in Hertsmere, and I particularly look forward to some of our wonderful events like The Bushey Acoustic Festival, Radlett Festival, Shenley Fete, and many more.  

• What do you anticipate will be your biggest challenge? 

2022 has been a challenging year, and we face some difficult times ahead of us. Britain is still suffering from the aftershocks of a global pandemic, and Putin’s war in Ukraine has compounded the Covid shock, disrupting supply chains and energy security the world over – conspiring to create the perfect global economic storm.  

So, I know that we face some hard challenges moving into 2023. I was delighted to have been appointed as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster by the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in October, and I am already getting to grips with the many opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. I know that the new Prime Minister can provide the excellent stewardship we need moving into 2023. 

I am always guided by the interests of our local community and will continue to uphold my first duty, serving the people of Hertsmere as your Member of Parliament.  

• Come the end of this year, what will you hope to have achieved?  

As many of you know, I am very concerned about the burden being put on our green open spaces by development pressure. I have been determined in my campaign to get the Housing Secretary to look again at its approach to Hertsmere, where almost all the borough’s undeveloped land is green belt. I feel constructive about the Government’s recent announcement on mandatory housebuilding targets, allowing a more tailored approach in Hertsmere. 

I will be continuing my work defending our countryside, improving public transport, and helping to secure investment for our local schools and GP surgeries. I would also like to spend time with my family!  

As always, please do get in touch with me at [email protected].