I love Harlow. I champion Harlow. I fight for Harlow. I work hard for Harlow.
It has been an honour to represent Harlow and the villages in Parliament since 2010. Every day I work hard for our community and to deliver on my pledges.
As a politician, I believe in keeping promises made to our community. In the 2019 election, I promised to get Brexit done. We did that by leaving the EU on 31 January 2020 and securing a Free Trade Agreement on 31 December 2020 - taking back control of our money, laws, borders, waters and trade.
By delivering on the referendum result, we can now focus on your priorities and that is what I work hard to do every day.
I was born with a walking disability, a form of cerebral palsy known as spastic diplegia. Yet, thanks to an extraordinary professor at Great Ormond Street Hospital, having numerous leg operations and going to that hospital week after week as a child, I managed not only to walk, but over thirty years later, to achieve my childhood dream of serving my local community in Parliament.
The chance that was given to me by Great Ormond Street Hospital ignited my love for the NHS. It is why, as MP for Harlow since 2010, I have worked continuously to strengthen our NHS.
I have worked hard every day as your MP to bring hundreds of millions of pounds from the Government to build an even better Harlow. That means regenerating our town and creating thousands of new jobs and apprenticeships for local residents.
Champion education and apprenticeships
Education, apprenticeships and skills have been my passion in politics. I am currently a Minister of State at the Department for Education and from 2016-17 served as the Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills. Between July 2017 and October 2022, I also served as the Chair of the Education Select Committee. I've worked hard to secure more funding for our schools and colleges, as well as creating thousands of new apprenticeships for our young people.
Cherish our villages and environment
I cherish the beautiful villages that we are so lucky to have in our community - that includes protecting our environment so we leave our villages in a better place for future generations.
One of my top priorities has been ensuring residents keep more of their hard-earned money by cutting the cost of living. That means lower taxes for lower earners and higher wages.
For too long, our town has been blighted by crime and anti-social behaviour. I have worked with both Harlow Police and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst, to crack down on this crime - as well as working hard in Parliament to deliver tougher sentencing for criminals.
I have had the pleasure to meet many of you on my regular visits around Harlow and the villages, whether it be schools, businesses or community groups. If there is anything I can do to help you or your family, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind wishes,
