Lymington Times — 14 June 2024

Many recent MPs are apparently abandoning the House of Commons for fear of ending up on the Opposition benches. I am not tempted to follow them. In a democracy, any new Government is subjected to trenchant daily criticism by its political opponents from the moment it is elected. This provides a safeguard against abuse of power and a deterrent against poor performance. The benefits of such interaction should not be undervalued.

Whatever the result on 4 July,I fully intend, if re-elected, to continue to work on a cross-party basis where the defence of the United Kingdom is concerned. My ability to work with other pro-NATO politicians, irrespective of party, led me to become the first person ever to chair both the Defence Select Committee and the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament. With war raging in Ukraine and the Middle East, a non-partisan approach here in the UK is more vital than ever.

Despite such a grim international outlook, an effective MP must also deal with local and regional issues as well as individual constituents’ problems. My Parliamentary office has always been in New Forest East, rather than in Westminster, in order to maximise the help my staff and I can offer. The ‘Letters of Thanks’ section of my website (www.julianlewis.net) sets out numerous examples of appreciation, from hundreds of local people, of our efforts on their behalf.

Periodically, substantial threats to the New Forest and its way of life must be fended off: in the early days, we were told that the Port of Southampton would die if Dibden Bay did not become a huge container port. We blocked that development, after a six-year campaign, and Southampton Port continues to thrive. You can be sure that the Solent Freeport scheme — though most welcome in principle — will be carefully scrutinised for environmental impact. Similarly, I was pleased to play a key role in promoting the Havant Thicket Reservoir alternative to the plan to site an inappropriate desalination plant at Ashlett Creek.

My detailed election literature will soon be available. Please read it before deciding how to vote.