The past couple of weeks in the world of politics have been tough – with the sad death of James Brokenshire and the truly horrific killing of Sir David Amess.

I was privileged back in 2011 to be asked by James to serve as his unofficial Parliamentary Private Secretary to help him shoulder some of his work in the Home Office – this gave me the opportunity to see first-hand the quality of the man.

David was kind, thoughtful, fun and dedicated.

He believed in duty, loyalty and family; he loved his country and worked hard for his constituents for nearly 40 years.

He was cruelly taken from us, but he will be remembered with love and gratitude and I can think of no better tribute than Southend finally being given city status. On Monday, we gathered at St Margaret’s, Westminster in a service of prayer and remembrance of his life.

It is vital in my opinion that Members of Parliament continue to feel and be accessible to constituents. It is the crowning glory of our system of representative democracy. Whilst recent events have given us cause for reflection, I will continue to hold regular advice surgeries and carry on being active in our local community.

In that spirit it was great last week to be back at the Upper Shaw Farm, formerly known as Hop, Skip & Jump, which is now the home of the Uplands Enterprise Trust (UET).

The UET is a brilliant Swindon based charity which helps young people with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) to help themselves.

In September 2020 the UET launched a provision for children and young people aged 5-17 with SEND. The Short Breaks provision provides afterschool, weekend and school holiday respite and promotes independence and life skills that with help these young people prepare for their futures.

It is great to see the centre going from strength to strength, promote its work and talk about respite care and support for families of young people with disabilities. Essential provision is being delivered here in Swindon. We are doing it well, but more needs to be done.

Last Saturday I joined local councillor Curtis Flux and others in Eldene and then councillors Suresh Gattapur and members of the Nepalese community in West Swindon out litter picking.

I am passionate about keeping our local communities clean and tidy and it was great to be able to join so many people out and about caring for where they live – this was true community spirit in action.

It is good news that the £17 million project to help alleviate traffic and congestion when approaching Junction 15 of M4 has finished.

I campaigned hard alongside Swindon Borough Council to secure this vital investment into our local infrastructure, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact the upgrade will have on journey times and in reducing congestion.