As our new MP, I am determined that local people are kept engaged and updated on my work in our community. In that spirit, I am pleased to say that you are reading my first fortnightly column for the Welwyn Hatfield Times.

I am grateful for the chance to report back to you all and my articles will reflect the variety of my role. I’ll share my perspective on how debates and decisions in Westminster impact on us and will highlight the local issues I am championing.

This column starts with unambiguously good news. I can confirm that from the September 22, a direct bus service from the New QEII Urgent Care Centre to the Lister Hospital will resume.

On a weekday there will be two direct buses every hour for much of the day and no longer will patients, staff and visitors need to change at Stevenage bus station to reach the hospital.

I’ve been campaigning for this change since January. More than 500 local people signed my petition in support of reinstating the direct service and it’s clear that our voices made Arriva listen and take action.

Everyone from nurses to cancer patients felt the loss of a regular direct service. It was a mistake and it was right to stand up and challenge the decision. Now the service has been successfully reinstated, it must stay for good.

Nationally, the bus is the most-used mode of public transport for people on lower incomes. When the bus network works effectively, it provides independence and opportunity for people.

Too often it hasn’t worked as it should in the last 14 years and Welwyn Hatfield experienced a 48 per cent decline in bus service frequency between 2010-2023. Buses were not a priority for the last government and there is much work to do.

The return of a regular New QEII to Lister bus is a real step forward. It’s a timely reminder that local campaigns can make a difference and whether you voted Labour or not, the arrival of a new government and a new MP can be a catalyst for change.