My year in review

It’s been a year of great change for Britain, High Peak and my family.

In July Britain overwhelming voted for change, with Keir Starmer securing a landslide majority. Here in High Peak, we achieved the second-best result in Labour’s history. It was the greatest honour of my life to be elected to represent you in Parliament. I have been working hard every day since to repay the faith placed in me.

Having not stood for Parliament before I was not totally sure what to expect. It is definitely not like any job I have ever had before, and I’ve had a few…

I’m extremely proud of the start we have made locally. I’ve put together a dedicated team of local people based in High Peak. We have dealt with over 5000 new cases, far more than any other newly elected MP I am aware of and received almost 16,000 emails. I have also held 10 in-person surgeries, seeing over 80 people, and 3 virtual surgeries.  

We have also been working hard on lots of local campaigns. I was particularly pleased that we were able to deliver on the General Election promise of providing free bus travel to High Peak students travelling to college in Greater Manchester.

We continue to campaign against cuts to care homes and adult day centres proposed by Derbyshire County Council. Indeed, I raised it in my first question at Prime Ministers Questions.

The first part of the year I enjoyed speaking to thousands of people right across High Peak on the doorstep. The message almost universally was we’re sick and tired that nothing works. From the water companies dumping raw sewage in our rivers through to the millions stuck on NHS waiting lists. I know people are desperate for change on all fronts. We have made a good start but it will take time to turn this tanker around.

I made my maiden speech in the Bill to renationalise the railways. Our train services locally are truly shocking and I will not let up until we get the long overdue improvements we deserve.  

I have also been appointed to the parliamentary committee tasked with delivering the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation, including better paternity and maternity leave rights. Having celebrated the birth of our baby girl this year, supporting other families to get off to the best possible start is a priority for me.

I’d like to wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2025. I will continue to do everything I can to help.