While the House doesn't sit during the summer, the work of a Member of Parliament doesn't stop! I thought you might like to hear a little bit about my work over the summer but, first, thank you to everyone who re-elected me as MP for North East Hampshire in June. It is complex, challenging and demanding—but it is also rewarding and a great privilege to represent our area, which is home to me as it is to you.
The summer recess is a great opportunity to spend more time in the constituency, catch up with non-urgent paperwork and work on detailed reports to present to Ministers when the House sits again on local priorities. And, yes, a personal priority to spend just a little more time with my wife and two young daughters than I am able to usually.
Of course, constituents are no less likely to write to me for help and I continue to do what I can to assist. I've now opened a local office in Odiham, to assist me in my duties as, since May 2015, I have received well over 14,000 pieces of casework. Responding to your suggestions and concerns, writing to Ministers on your behalf and doing all I can for our constituency continues to keep me very busy. This doesn't mean we'll always agree (!), but I can assure you of my best intentions at all times.
Another duty as your local MP is working cross-party for Hampshire as a whole, as Chairman of the Hampshire All-Party Parliamentary Group. Recess provides me further opportunities to meet Hampshire County Council, Hart District Council, Hampshire Constabulary and more.
So, while I am always busy, it has been a fascinating time to represent you in the House of Commons. Every single day, I am humbled by the opportunity that you, the people of North East Hampshire, have given me to serve as your Member of Parliament. My aim remains constant: to be a strong, local voice for North East Hampshire—for you and your family—and for Britain.
I do hope that we might meet at one of my ‘Tell Ranil’ public meetings around the constituency in the coming years but, if you would like to contact me on any issue, please email: [email protected] or write to me at: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.