Being a Prospective Parliamentary Candidate was an enormous privilege and the friendship, trust and support I received has been truly humbling, as has the unique opportunity to meet so many people who have shared their challenges and triumphs with me. I am deeply grateful for all I have learned and experienced on this journey thus far.
However, the hard work has just begun. There are many challenges facing us here in West Cornwall and on the Isles of Scilly. There are also incredible opportunities. I will work hard in support of the people and groups who are already working to bring solutions to the problems we face.
As the Conservative Prospective MP I set out a clear local manifesto and as your MP, I will use the time, skills and influence I have towards working to deliver this plan.
I said that working to create more skilled and better paid jobs was the single most important thing an MP could do to improve people's quality of life. Already I have contacted people who offered to help with this and I will work to make it easier for more local people to improve their skills and earn decent wages. This will strengthen our town centres by putting more money in the local economy, as well as making it easier to buy a home.
I said that I would work tirelessly to bring health and social care together in meaningful integration in Cornwall. It is important to me that people are cared for in the community as much as possible.
We must reduce the demand on front-line NHS services. This can be achieved over time but it will depend on all of us enjoying healthier lives and properly grasping what is meant when we say 'prevention is better than cure'.
I have met a number of people who are planning to train in the nursing profession. I will work to see what can be done to remove some of the barriers to nurse training so that more can be enlisted. The NHS is an incredible organisation and nursing is a fantastic profession to be in.
In conclusion: the election is over and party politics put to one side. I welcome the opportunity to work in the best interest of everyone living in the St Ives Constituency.