May I take this opportunity to briefly wish you and all your family a very Happy Christmas.
Whether in Parliament or back in the constituency, it's continues to be the privilege of my life to represent you as your local MP. Whether it's casework, the campaigning on local issues,or putting North Norfolk on the map, I do all I can to ensure our voice is heard.
I don’t know where this year has gone, but it has vanished in a flash. As we look back, I can barely believe that it was in February that a small team of us delivered 122 generators into Lviv in Ukraine as the Russian invasion intensified taking out Ukrainian power networks. Thank you to everyone who so generously made that possible. This Christmas, my family table will again be set for two extra people as we continue to take care of Anna and Sviatik, our extended Ukrainian family.
In Parliament, we’ve been able to fight for so many causes that have taken national attention. I was very proud to lead and publish the first-ever national inquiry into the life chances of our young carers, hold an adjournment debate into the protection of our dark skies and to lead the development of hydrogen and carbon capture technology at Bacton Gas terminal which prompted a visit from Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. Despite many challenges we continue to face as country, it does appear that economically we are moving forward on a good path, certainly evidenced by the significant fall again in inflation this morning to 3.9% from 11.1% a year ago.
At the heart of all of this is my drive to champion North Norfolk and serve our wonderful home. I grew up here, I live here, and I am raising my family here. The Ministerial ladder is not of interest to me, refreshing for an MP I’m told! For me, I solely wish to do all I can for our area; being a good local MP for our home and the people within it. To that effect, I am so pleased to intervene daily to help people with the problems they bring to me - small or big, I will always try to help if I can.
We are making huge progress on hundreds of projects across the constituency. From new sports facilities in our largest towns to trying to save medical facilities in rural villages. Whether it be problems with speeding, flooding, banking or simply helping find a new location for the local Post Office - it has been a privilege to help across the constituency.
My Summer Tour was bigger than ever this year, not to mention exhausting! There was no break and my office team joined me as we visited over 30 towns and villages, helping hundreds and hundreds of people with their issues.
I try every weekend to get out and about, to support communities across North Norfolk, and this year I have visited record numbers of our incredible residents doing amazing things. I've also visited countless community events to show my support, in every single corner of North Norfolk.
The charity marathon running took a backseat in the Spring when I was “off games” due to a small eye operation. It was rather momentous personally because the sight in my left eye had dwindled down to virtually nothing on account of a dense cataract forming ever since my retinal detachment as a young boy.
With my sight restored and back in training, I hope in the Spring to attempt my biggest challenge yet, to run back-to-back marathons, with the London marathon one weekend, followed by the Norfolk marathon a week later and break my target to raise £100,000 for local North Norfolk charities in my first term in Parliament. It’s a big challenge but I’m up for it!
I want to end by saying a huge thank you to you all. I am so lucky to represent you, in a role I put my heart and soul into. However, it would not be possible without my whole team who work so tirelessly for North Norfolk. Without them, I simply would not be able to support you all, day in and day out as I do.
So to Daniel, Matthew, Michelle, Anna, Nicola, Rachel, Zillah and Ollie - thank you for all you do.
Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas, and a wonderful New Year.
