I was born in Leigh-on-Sea. Four generations of my family have lived in Southend, and I am delighted to be back living in Leigh where my mother lived until very recently. The daughter of a teacher and an engineer, I am a proud Essex girl who believes in working hard, aiming high and giving back.
It was the honour of my life to be selected to stand as MP for Southend West & Leigh. The period of time after Sir David Amess’s brutal murder was one of profound shock and horror for his family, Southend and the UK as a whole. I knew that my primary focus had to be on helping those most affected to heal, and start looking towards the future, while building on Sir David’s incredible legacy.
My goal has always been to serve and give back to my local community, but I am not a career politician. After obtaining a law degree from Durham University, I had a short career in financial services, before retraining to become a Barrister. After 12 years prosecuting criminals and dealing with major medical accidents, I took a career break to bring up my family and serve as a local councillor.
After just two years in post as your MP, I have a strong track record of local delivery in Southend and Leigh-on-Sea, including securing £8million for a reconfigured A&E at Southend Hospital, which has now opened, 11 new Ambulances for South Essex, an additional £110 million for South Essex Hospitals, most of which is coming to Southend. I have also campaigned hard on making our city safer, pushing for the ban on nitrous oxide and to get zombie knives banned. This and much more has been what we’ve been able to achieve together in Southend since my election.
Prior to becoming an MP I was the Chief-Executive of the Invicta National Academy, a not-for-profit community interest company, helping children of the UK catch up on missed learning caused by Covid-19. I also co-founded a successful primary school campaign to help keep children safe online by keeping phones out of bedrooms.
Outside of politics, I enjoy theatre, music, cycling, sea-swimming and scuba-diving. I also enjoy walking around our local green spaces with my husband, children and our dog Lottie.
You’ll see me out and about in our local community most weeks so please do come and say hello!