FIRST of all I want to start with an enormous thank you to the people of South West Surrey for returning me to parliament for the fifth time.

It is an incredible honour – and at moments like this I think back to my grandfather who lived in Godalming most of his life and my Naval father who grew up here.

I wish they could have been around to share the tremendous thrill I feel.

It was a hard fought election and there were a number of lifelong Conservative voters who considered switching their vote because of Brexit as I found out in numerous doorstep conversations.

In the end my vote remained at more than half of all votes cast but I know it was not an easy decision for many people.

I want to reassure you that I will never take your vote for granted and recognise the trust that you have placed in me.

There are many pressing local issues that I will be getting stuck into in January, including the plans we are looking forward to seeing from Waverley and Surrey to reduce pollution and transform Farnham town centre, the contentious UKOG drilling application in Dunsfold and the plans for the now-saved Minor Injuries Unit in Haslemere.

I will always be willing to work across party boundaries to do the right thing for our area and whatever may have been said in the election campaign I hope all local leaders will take the same approach.

On the national level the government will of course work hard to secure a good trade deal with the EU after we leave at the end of January.

Many are sceptical about this but I am optimistic: the balance of incentives on all sides is to secure such a deal.

Will Britain succeed post-Brexit? I always think that is the wrong question because it is up to us.

If we set out our post-Brexit destiny with energy and optimism – whilst staying true to our tolerant, outward-looking values – then of course we can make a success of it and bring the country back together.

That is what I will be working hard for on your behalf.

I will also be campaigning hard on issues dear to my heart – improving standards of care in the NHS which can only come with many more doctors and nurses than we currently have; making sure Britain plays a strong and confident role on the global stage in defence of democratic values; and making sure young people feel they are fully able to share in our exciting future.

Britain is a great country because at key moments in our history we have been bold and smart.

This is one such moment – and I intend to play my part!

Best wishes for a happy new year.