I welcome Liz Truss stepping down as Prime Minister. We now need a new leader to unite the Conservative party and to get on with the challenges we face domestically and globally.
These are difficult times for the UK and for many other countries in the world due to the war in Ukraine and post-pandemic inflation and supply issues. They will take time to address.
However, these issues must be the priority as we look to help the vulnerable during a cost-of-living crisis but also to put the country’s finances on a firmer footing.
Rishi Sunak had my support to be leader over the summer because I feared Liz’s approach to the economy would lead to what did happen.
I am very frustrated and angry about it, especially for those who have been affected by rising interest rates and the falling value of the pound. I submitted a letter of my no confidence in her leadership on 17th October.
Now we have the chance to put right the last few weeks and that is my focus – helping the people of Hertford and Stortford and ensuring the country prospers with a direction everyone is happy with.
Despite the upheavals at Westminster, my job representing Hertford and Stortford continues.
The death of Her Majesty led to the cancelling of my free jobs Fair. It has now been rearranged and will take place on 18th November at Fletcher's Lea, Ware Priory, High St, Ware, SG12 9AL from 10am to 2pm.
We will have 13 exhibitors on the day. Many are big names locally and nationally in many different sectors and all are here to give help and advice or even job opportunities.
Companies and organisations coming are: BT, Carmelcrest Group, East of England Ambulance Service Trust, Gu Puds, Home Instead, HRC, JobCentre Plus, MCP Group, Redwood Bank, Stansted Airport, Stansted Airport College and The Silver Spoon Company/Allinson's.
The fair is aimed at those about to finish education who may be in need of advice, or who want to see what is available career and training wise. It will also be useful for older workers seeking a job or new skills or someone wanting a career change.
For others it is an opportunity to look at returning to work after illness or having children. It can be a second chance following redundancy or unemployment.
We have record employment in the country at the moment and there are vacancies and opportunities in many sectors for those who want a change or are thinking of it.
I recently welcomed new measures to support victims of sexual violence in courts.
Initiatives such as allowing victims and witnesses of crimes such as rape and modern slavery to have their cross-examination video-recorded and played later during trial are now available at courts across England and Wales, including locally at St Albans Crown Court.
I was involved in the development of the measures while I was a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) at the Ministry of Justice.