What I've done in Kent
Since May, 2,288 of you have contacted me about issues ranging from housing troubles to healthcare, and I've responded to all your letters, phone calls and emails. I've also held many surgeries where I've spent a bit more time listening to individuals' problems. In addition I've....
Campaigned for an alternative to Operation Stack
This summer the M20 through Kent was closed for 32 days as a result of Operation Stack, leading to chaos and misery for the people of Kent. I've been campaigning doggedly for an alternative to parking thousands of lorries on the motorway when there is disruption at the Channel crossings. I was pleased when temporary planning permission was granted for the use of Manston Airfield as an off-road holding area, but we need a permanent solution. I've held meetings with Ministers, written letters and asked questions in Parliament to make sure this stays at the top of the Government's agenda. We can't have a repeat of the scenes we saw last summer at the height of the tourist season.
Improved transport links to Estuary View medical centre
A number of people wrote to me complaining that travelling to Estuary View medical centre by public transport was difficult and confusing. I did the journey myself and raised my concerns with Chris Brown, Chief Executive of East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, and as result a new bus stop and better signage has been installed at Whitstable station.
Opposed the Waterside Park development at Junction 8
I wouldn't normally get involved in a planning decision, but almost everyone I've spoken to about development at Junction 8 is desperately worried that the Waterside Park development would change the landscape of this beautiful part of Kent forever. That's why I spoke out against the development at the public inquiry.
Held a public meeting to hear concerns about the solar farm at Great Tong, Headcorn
Almost 100 Headcorn residents attended a meeting I held to raise their concerns about the proposals. I've written to Maidstone Borough Council setting out what residents had to say. The turnout in opposition to the solar farm must have sent a strong message to the council.
Petitioned the Government for fair funding for Kent's schools
I sent a petition calling for a better deal on funding for Kent's schools to every school in Faversham and Mid Kent; if you're a parent I hope you've signed it. I've also written to the Prime Minister, along with 100 other MPs, laying out the case.
Like many of you, I welcomed news that the Weald of Kent grammar school will be allowed to expand. Grammar schools should be engines for social mobility, so I asked Nicky Morgan, the education minister, to join me in supporting Kent County Council's plan to help children from low-income families get into grammar school.
Joined councillors at a public meeting about the closure of Downswood Spires Medical Centre for GP appointments
The sudden closure of Downswood Medical Centre has come as a shock. I joined Roz Cheeseman, chair of the parish council, and Kent County Councillor Gary Cooke at a public meeting to hear your concerns. I'm pressing NHS South England and the surgery itself to come up with a plan to keep the centre open.Stood up for local farmers
Agriculture is essential to the local economy but it's a tough business. I've visited several farms, including Peter Forknall's dairy farm in Chart Sutton, and heard about the pressures on fruit and arable farmers.
Local fruit farmers support this Government's new living wage but it will increase their costs and make it harder to compete against international producers who don't have to pay it. I asked the Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs to support farmers in the House of Commons and spoke up for Kent's fruit farmers in a debate about the living wage.
Demanded superfast broadband for more homes and businesses in Kent
A fast internet connection is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity. But some parts of the constituency are getting left behind. I'm campaigning to get superfast broadband into every home and business in Faversham and Mid Kent. I've met Making Kent Quicker - part of Kent County Council responsible for bringing broadband to 95% of the region by 2017 - and the CEO of Openreach, the company that's building the infrastructure. I've asked the Chancellor for the Broadband Connection Voucher scheme to be extended, to enable more local businesses to get funding for faster internet connections.
Visited the Traveller site at Fiddlers Green with Kent Police
Kent has a long tradition of welcoming the travellers, however in some areas, particularly around the villages of Headcorn, Ulcombe and Staplehurst, there has been rapid and uncontrolled growth of camp sites. The permanent residents feel there is one rule for them and another for Travellers, who are often granted retrospective planning permission after they have occupied a site illegally.
In August 2015 this Government changed the definition of a Traveller for planning purposes so that only people with genuinely nomadic lifestyles would qualify for Traveller pitches. New guidelines also state that illegal occupation of a site should be taken into account in planning decisions. I'm pressing both the Department for Communities and Local Government and our local councils to put these rules into practice.
In Westminster
Made my Maiden Speech
Been elected to the health select committee
I'm passionate about the NHS, so I was delighted to be elected to join the health select committee. We hear evidence from experts and scrutinise Government policy. Recently, chef Jamie Oliver spoke to us about his plans to reduce childhood obesity.Made speeches to Parliament about welfare, refugees, education, equal pay and the NHS
Out and about
Visited a refugee camp in Turkey and delivered donations from the people of Kent to 'The Jungle' in Calais
The refugee crisis continued to dominate the headlines. I've written about my experiences at a refugee camp on the Turkish border with Syria. The situation in Calais has profound implications for Kent, as disruption in the Channel Tunnel leads to chaos on our roads. I visited the migrant camp there to deliver clothes and equipment generously donated by the people of Faversham and Mid-Kent, and to see for myself what can be done. I've reported back to the immigration minister, James Brokenshire, and the Secretary of State for International Development, Justine Greening, with my views on what more can be done to resolve this crisis.