| What a night! I didn’t sleep a wink, as I was up all night watching the election coverage, commenting in the media and, of course, anxiously awaiting the results in Twickenham.I am so incredibly humbled and grateful that the people of Twickenham have put their trust in me again in such large numbers, having been elected with an increased 21,000 majority. And what a night for the Liberal Democrats overall, winning a record-breaking 71 seats (which may well become 72 after a recount in Scotland tomorrow)!
I truly could not have done it without the support of so many people, and for that I would like to say a heartfelt thank you. To everyone who cast a vote or put up a stakeboard, to every amazing volunteer who knocked on doors, delivered leaflets, spoke to neighbours or hit the road to help spread the Liberal Democrat message in other constituencies – a massive THANK YOU.
It has been an incredible honour to serve as your MP for the last 4.5 years, and I promise to continue being your champion on the issues that matter to you.
A clear and resounding message from voters
What a rollercoaster of a campaign it’s been! The Liberal Democrats had some fun and some light-hearted moments along the way. But behind it all was a serious message and a serious, fully costed plan that puts health and care at the heart of our manifesto.
Across the country, voters sent a clear, resounding and decisive message: they had had enough of a Conservative government that had let them down time and time again. Overnight, the Tory blue wall tumbled like dominos and the Liberal Democrats ousted four Tory cabinet ministers. From Yeovil to the Mendip Hills, from Eastbourne to Dorking, from Surrey Heath to Cheltenham – people cast their vote for a fresh start.
Your local champion and your voice in Westminster
Twickenham is my home, and has been for almost 20 years. I’m proud of Twickenham, and the amazing sense of community we have here. Yet, I know from talking to residents, and from visiting our local schools, health services, business and charities, that there are still many problems to be tackled.
Now, we have our chance to turn the page on the failures of the last Conservative government. I will be holding the new Labour government to account to ensure they start the work of fixing our broken NHS, cleaning up our rivers and waterways, reversing cuts to community policing in our neighbourhoods, helping young people get on the housing ladder, and supporting the many, many people who have been struggling to pay their bills after the Conservatives crashed the economy.
Education and the needs of our children and young people are my passion, and the reason I got into politics was to create the best opportunities for them to succeed and thrive in life. I will keep up my efforts to fight for the help and support our young people need and deserve – including a dedicated mental health practitioner in every school, and free school meals for every child in poverty.
Locally, I’ll continue my fight on the campaigns that matter to residents, like stopping Thames Water from pursuing its terrible Teddington Direct River Abstraction proposals, and making sure a Heathrow 3rd runway is taken off the table once and for all.
Whoever you voted for yesterday, I promise to fight your corner every day and be your voice on the issues that matter to Twickenham. We have some deep-seated problems in our country that won’t be solved overnight, but I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues (all 70-some of us!) will get straight to work to start creating a brighter future for everyone.
Thank You |
