As many of you will know there has been a review of Parliamentary constituencies across the United Kingdom in anticipation of the next General Election. This is to ensure that an equal number of electors are in each constituency.
Here in Eastleigh, the proposals are to split the current Eastleigh constituency into two, with a new Eastleigh constituency consisting of Eastleigh, Bishopstoke, Fair Oak, West End, Hiltingbury, and Chandlers Ford and a new Hamble Valley constituency consisting of Hamble, Botley, Bursledon and Hedge End, the other part of this seat takes in wards from Fareham, such as Sarisbury, Warsash, Park Gate, Whiteley, and Titchfield.
The last two years have been very challenging for colleagues, without certainty on which seats they are going to be able to represent. I have always believed that MPs should reside and live in the seats which they seek to represent, since being elected in 2019 I have lived in Hedge End and have made it my home. That is why tonight I sought selection to be Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Hamble Valley at the next General Election and have been selected by the local Conservative Association to fight the Hamble Valley Constituency at the next General Election.
This has not been an easy decision for me, I love my current Eastleigh constituency and have felt honoured to represent it in Parliament since December 2019. The community groups, businesses, and people who live here have made me feel enormously welcome and I care deeply for their good health and happiness. Since 2019, we have assisted over 18,000 people with casework and their issues and have made good progress on issues like the M27 resurfacing, the extension of Southampton Airport, and the new Freeport being announced which will bring thousands of new jobs to the area.
However, with 48% of the new Hamble Valley seat being my current Eastleigh seat, and with it being the place I have lived for the last three and a half years, I have come to the conclusion that the Hamble Valley would be the wisest place to seek election because that is where I live, it is where my team is based and where my friends and family and my social circle also reside.
I will, of course, continue to work tirelessly for the people of the current Eastleigh seat until the next election where I hope that they will elect a new Conservative MP. I will continue to work at full pace to bring the things we need to Eastleigh and its people. But moreover, I am deeply honoured to have been able to represent Eastleigh in Parliament for what will be five years.
I look forward to gaining the trust and showing the people of the new Hamble Valley constituency that I am deserving to be elected as their new MP at the next election and sincerely hope that they do so.
