I am writing this column from my Crawley office after a particularly busy week in Westminster.
Nationally, we saw the resignation of David Cameron, and the appointment of Theresa May as the new Prime Minister. Locally, I joined other MPs in continuing our holding of rail operators to account.
It was a privilege to be in the House of Commons last week for David Cameron’s final Prime Minister’s Questions, I was also pleased to secure a ticket for a Crawley resident to be in the public gallery for this historic occasion.
Having worked alongside David Cameron over the last six years I would like to wish him all the best for his post-prime ministerial life.
When a Prime Minister leaves office, much is made of what their legacy will be. One thing that stands out for me is his creation of National Citizen Service; which continues to be delivered for 15-17 year olds in Crawley.
I was pleased to support Theresa May to be the next Leader of the Conservative Party and I congratulate her on becoming the Prime Minister.
One issue I look forward to raising with the new Prime Minister is the ongoing rail disruption for Crawley commuters.
Myself and other MPs left the House of Commons after PMQs last week for the first meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Southern Rail.
This Group has been set up by a cross-party group of MPs to hold Govia Thameslink Railway, the unions, and the Department for Transport to account.
One thing that may surprise people who do not follow politics too closely is that there are many issues where MPs from differing sides do actually work together. This Group is in fact jointly chaired by one Conservative MP and one Labour MP, and we are all working in the interests of passengers.
As the Group’s Secretary I will continue to hold Government, operator and unions to account on behalf of Crawley passengers. Please be assured of my continued action and attention – I look forward to raising this matter with the new Transport Secretary and Rail Minister.