Whilst travelling around the constituency, I often find myself popping in one of our excellent local pubs, whether this is for a spot of lunch, a quick diet coke between meetings or for a relaxing drink with friends and family. Our local pubs are very much the life blood of the community.

Volunteering can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It allows you to offer a service which can make a real difference to our society as a whole.

Last week we celebrated Parliament Week. One week in the year that we celebrate what is great about our democracy and our Parliament. This year is a particularly special one as we celebrate the 100 year anniversary of suffrage for women, and the achievements of women in Parliament ever since.

This Sunday we marked the 100th year anniversary of the end of the First World War. I marked the occasion by placing my wreath at the cenotaph along the Cliffs. Each time I do I reflect on the sacrifice made by so many so that we can all live the lives we have.

This week has been another great week talking to constituents and businesses about the issues that are affecting you every day.

This week the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond MP, delivered his budget to the House of Commons. Within it there were a number of great measures that will have a real positive effect on Southend.

We often take for granted the company of our family and friends. For many of us it is a normal part of life to have someone nearby to talk to about all things big and small. But imagine that this was taken away.

One of the more rewarding aspects of being the local Member of Parliament is talking to you about the issues which affect Rochford and Southend East.

This week I decided to try something different and so thought it would be a good idea to ride my bike around the constituency of Rochford and Southend East.

Recently, we have seen a number of announcement concerning the improvement of transport in and around our town. In this week’s newspapers it had been announced that Southend Borough Council is supporting a new relief road to the east of the town.