Happy Christmas

I have just posted the last batch of letters to constituents before Christmas and I am now going to take a few days off with my family before I address the Wilton Hunt on 27th December. I wanted to take this opportunity to wish all my constituents a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

It has been an amazing year for me personally. This time last Christmas Eve I did not know whether I would be called for an interview for the vacancy left following Robert Key's retirement. Since then I have been selected, elected and been an MP for nearly 8 months. I have now established my office in Brown Street and Westminster and feel that I am getting to grips with the wide range of roles that I am asked to fulfil as a Member of Parliament. Trying to be a "fair-broker" in disputes and discussions locally, acting as an advocate for constituents as well as provide a listening ear and advice at constituency surgeries.

At Westminster, I have enjoyed work on the Defence Select Committee; I have led an Adjournment debate on the future of the HPA at Porton; asked many written and oral questions and also participated in numerous discussions on policies that impact the people of Salisbury and South Wiltshire. There is always more to do and I will write about my plans for 2011 early in the New Year.

I know the new Coalition Government's decisions will not have pleased everyone – and I am acutely aware that for many Conservatives the transition to supporting a Coalition Government has taken some adjustment. I have tried to use my best judgement on what is right for the people of Salisbury and South Wiltshire in my voting and have tried to offer a speedy response to anyone who contacts me asking why I have voted one way or the other. I will always do my best to be accessible to my constituents.

Before I sign off I would like to thank all those who have written me kind notes and sent Christmas greetings over recent weeks – they are appreciated and valued. I look forward to meeting many of my "new" constituents early in 2011 as I complete my first 12 months in Parliament as your MP. Happy Christmas!

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