After my first week as the MP for Harpenden & Berkhamsted I am so humbled and grateful for the incredible local support I’ve seen - thank you.

The Liberal Democrats now have 72 MPs in Parliament and I believe it is our duty to uphold a politics of service and rebuild trust in politicians.

For me, that means putting local people first.

From my first day in Parliament, I hit the ground running, writing to Thames Water demanding action on the Markyate sewage overflow which has pumped over 2,500 hours of sewage into the River Ver this year alone.

I even took ITV to the chalk stream as they filmed my first week as MP. 

Daisy Cooper MP and I have written to the Secretaries of State for Transport and Levelling Up urging to block the expansion of Luton Airport, in line with Climate Change Committee advice.

When it comes to health and the cost-of-living crisis, I’m talking to local Patient Groups and local Citizens Advice offices to tackle the top issues people are facing. 

All the while I’ve been setting up my new team and offices, working through casework and getting to know the business of Parliament.

It’s also been a real delight to head to events such as the Wheathampstead Village Day (I’d like to think the rainbow that day was a good omen) and the Redbourn Festival.

This new Parliament, and the politicians sitting in the chamber, represent a seismic shift. Not only is it the largest number of new MPs in modern history, hailed as the most diverse in terms of race and gender but the Liberal Democrats are now the biggest third party the House has ever seen. 

Sitting at the election of the speaker, which must happen after a general election, was a surreal moment overflowing with all the new MPs who don’t fit on the benches.

Then the swearing in of each and every MP begins. For new MPs, this is our first time speaking in the chamber and, for me, it certainly felt momentous.

Beyond the pomp and ceremony, however, there’s a palpable feeling of renewal, and I know the important work has only just begun to deliver for local people and rebuild trust again.