In his latest column, Robert Largan reflects on the past two years since he became the High Peak's MP.

On 12 December 2019, 24,844 local people voted for me to represent them as the Member of Parliament for High Peak.

The last two years have certainly been eventful, full of difficult decisions and challenging moments.

But we’ve also achieved a lot by working together locally: getting a contract signed to finally build the £228million Mottram Bypass & Glossop Spur Road; securing £10million to regenerate Buxton town centre; reinstating the breast cancer mobile screening unit; getting the green light for the £137million upgrade to the Hope Valley line; holding the first ever High Peak Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair; expanding Glossopdale School to create an extra 240 places for local children; getting the High Peak included in the ultra-fast broadband rollout; building a new psychiatric intensive care unit at Tameside Hospital; tripling the funding for the restoration of our local moors; winning funding to restore Glossop Town Hall and the high street; securing millions of pounds in grants to help local businesses and secure the future of important local heritage buildings, like Torr Vale Mill, Buxton Opera House and the Buxton Crescent; to name just a few.

I’ve also worked hard to support local people when they need help. My office and I have taken up over 30,000 individual cases on behalf of local people and responded to over 40,000 emails, letters, and phone calls. I have also had countless face-to-face meetings at my weekly help and advice surgeries.

Nationally, I have always spoken with an independent-minded voice, prepared to vote against the government when I think they’ve got things wrong. I’m proud to have been able to campaign to successfully change the law in a number of areas, including getting the government to change their mind on certain issues.

For example, together with a group of committed colleagues, I helped to force the government to place a legal duty on water companies to prevent sewage from being pumped into our rivers and waterways. I’m also proud to have helped push the government into creating the Trade & Agriculture Commission to protect our animal welfare and food standards, as well as environmental protections in future trade deals.

I want to thank everyone who has supported me and all those who have worked with me on some of these important issues.

I realise that many people didn’t vote for me and that some people strong disagree with me sometimes. However, I hope people realise that I think long and hard about the decisions I have to make in Parliament. I always look to do what I believe is right and in the best interests of the High Peak.

I’ve no idea how long I’ll be in this job. But for as long as I am, I promise you that I will continue to give my all in standing up for our local area. Let’s work together to make the High Peak even better!

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