Ashfield MP reflects with pride on his first year in the job

And although it has been a hectic first year for me in Westminster, I have to say that my job is an absolute privilege and an honour.

I literally cannot wait to get up every morning and go to work whether that’s in Parliament or in the constituency to bang a drum for this brilliant area.

Many of you will know that I worked for Ashfield Citizens Advice Bureau for many years and I have used that experience to make sure my offices in Ashfield and Westminster provide a similar level of service and support.

Over the past 12 months, I have dealt with more than 5,500 enquiries with some significant wins for constituents.

I reckon with all the interventions I have made, I have helped get my constituents close to £500,000 back into their bank accounts.

I delivered my maiden speech in January this year and since then I have spoken more than 50 times in the Chamber which I am proud to say is more than any previous Ashfield MP in their first year.

There have been some noticeable achievements from my office this year and I was delighted that Ashfield District Council agreed to my suggestion of two hours free parking to help increase footfall in our town centres.

Last Boxing Day, I spent the morning at King’s Mill Hospital doing the rounds with the chief executive, taking the tea trolley around to the brilliant staff there.

I have been in weekly contact since being elected, therefore I was delighted when I was able to secure an extra £2.8 million in funding for the trust which I know is being well spent.

The Towns Fund and Future High Streets Fund is something I have been working on since before being elected and I am working every single day to ensure that this area gets up to £75 million to spend on new projects.

Looking forward to next year I am working with fellow MPs on a project to bring a freeport to East Midlands Airport.

This would be a game changer for the whole of Nottinghamshire as tens of thousands of jobs would be created and economic activity would go through the roof meaning Ashfield and surrounding areas would benefit

Ashfield has been left behind for far too long and it’s the extra investment and new infrastructure projects that will bring the good times back.

Many of you will know about my work on the proposed Maid Marian train line which will see a new platform at King’s Mill and station and new service run through Selston to Langley Mill.

Again, this would be a game changer for the area and make travel around the country much easier for my constituents.

Better travel means more freedom and more choice and I’m up for that. Happy Christmas.