Just a short email this week to let you know that last Friday I was very honoured to be selected as the Parliamentary candidate for the new Winchester seat. Around 27% of Meon Valley goes into the new seat so I would still be representing many thousands of Meon Valley residents as I have done since 2019, if I am elected.
I lived in the middle of Winchester for 20 years and was a city councillor there, so I know it extremely well and I am very excited and pleased to be chosen. Of course, I remain the MP for Meon Valley until the next General election so nothing has changed there and please continue to ask for my help where needed. Steve Brine continues to do the same in the present Winchester constituency.
The selection process gave me the opportunity to reflect on what I have achieved and I am pleased that I have nearly ticked off my plan for Meon Valley including getting faster broadband for rural villages and stopping the speeding motorbikes (and cars) on the A272 and A32. Both are making a difference already to constituents and finally Openreach is working with SSE to get the network sorted in the Bramdean, Cheriton and Kilmeston area. We have been working very hard on this one and it is great when things come together.
I have been putting my annual report out in some of the villages over the last week and I am hoping to put the remainder out over the next week. It gives me the opportunity to talk to people as I go round and check out any issues, including the menace of potholes.
My attention has also been on the Fastnet race as my husband was in Lancelot 2 - a boat skippered by John Gillard, who runs the Plan B charity for young people who have been excluded from school. It was a very tough race, around 180 boats retired out of 415 on the first day because of a storm last Saturday.
I was very pleased to hear that the boat had arrived in Cherbourg safely this morning and they will be sailing back tonight to the Hamble. Congratulations to any constituents who may have taken part.
Next week I am rushing around the constituency and have two ministerial visits as well as delivering the annual report. I am then going to take some time off to recharge and plan the next few months.
Have a great summer and hope the weather stays good but not too hot.
