I feel very privileged indeed to have been elected as your Member of Parliament in this new constituency of Newton Abbot which has replaced Teignbridge. I will give you a voice in Westminster and will work hard locally across Teignbridge to give you, your families and local businesses a better future. I will be fighting to get Teignbridge working, new jobs created, families better supported, more educational opportunities and good local services in our community hospitals. I will also be fighting to sort out our unfairly high water rates and to get a better deal for our pensioners.
But I would not have been in a position to achieve any of this without you. Thank you for your support and your votes. Elections are extraordinary events, as this one is proving. Hundreds of people were involved in my campaign over the last three and a half years. Without their hard work and generosity I would not have been able to communicate with you so you knew who I was and what I stood for and most importantly I would not have been able to find out what really mattered to you. Because being your MP is about representing you.
On your behalf may I also thank Richard Younger-Ross, for the service he gave to this community as our MP over the last nine years. I wish him well. I have said to him that I am more than happy to work with him regarding any ongoing casework. If there is anyone who would like me to get involved in any outstanding problem, please do feel free to get in touch.
Next steps
This week I am at Westminster for the first time. The House of Commons is not yet sitting but all new MPs are invited to an induction course. I am also being updated and consulted on what the next government might look like. David Cameron wants to involve us all and I have been sharing with him and the team the comments and concerns I have received from constituents. By the time this column goes to press a workable solution may well have been found.
Here in Teignbridge I am taking steps to set up a local office to support my work in the community and as soon as I have an address and an opening date, I will let you know. I would like to get to meet as many of you as I can and will be organising a number of small local “meet your new MP” evenings. Let me know if there are particular village halls, community centres or maybe the local pub where you would like these to be held. If there are any community groups, organisations or businesses which would like me to come and meet up with them then do get in touch so that we can arrange a date.
I will also be establishing local surgeries. To make sure these are convenient for you let me have your ideas both as to time of day and location. I will be advertising the dates and times in this column, on my website and on local notice boards.
I am very much looking forward to working with you and for you over the coming months and years!
Getting in touch: Please feel free to get in touch at annemarie@annemariemorris.co.uk or 01626 368277.