I've just released my newsletter covering April and the first half of May. After a turbulent few weeks I'm pleased to be continuing to deliver for the people of Swindon. If you want to receive updates straight to your inbox, sign up and subscribe! open.substack.com/pub/willston...

The King's Speech showed a Government that is ready to stand up to the powerful interests that have held this country back for too long. A new Bill to confront hostile foreign states meddling in our democracy is long overdue.

Great to meet Mikey O'Mahoney from Harmattan AI, a fascinating drone company doing impressive work with the UK Armed Forces. They're looking to expand into Swindon and become part of the local defence and tech ecosystem, and I'm fully behind their vision.

Fantastic to meet with yet another company looking to expand. Seeing Systems, which specialises in developing affordable, fully autonomous systems, and I would love for them to come to Swindon! My priority remains the people of Swindon North.

Last year I pressed the government to open up daily travel between Swindon and Oxford. I am delighted that this will happen. I want to say a massive thank you to my South Swindon counterpart Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport for her work on this.

Today is #InternationalNursesDay. My dad was a nurse, so I know how hard you all work. I want to say a massive thank you, especially to the nurses at Great Western Hospital.

Great to meet Harvey Hodd from Rivan Industries, a genuinely exciting company producing synthetic fuel from solar energy with sites in Wroughton and Blunsdon. They're now looking to expand to a new location to become the largest synthetic fuel plant in Europe & 4th biggest in the world.

Many people are concerned about leadership this week. My priority is, as it always has been, the people of Swindon North.

I recently established and was elected Chair of the APPG for Defence Supply Chain to build upon the work I've been doing to advance sovereign capability in our defence. theinkswindon.substack.com/p/is-warfare...

Local Elections are taking place tomorrow, which reminds me of when I first became a Borough Councillor in Rodbourne Cheney. Tomorrow, SBC is running all-out elections where every seat is up for election. So, I am asking you to vote for a Labour council which is already making a difference.

One in four women experience mental health difficulties during pregnancy or in the year that follows from anxiety and depression to more severe conditions. I am sharing the Maternal Mental Health Alliance symptom checker to spread awareness and to highlight where support is available.

Great to conclude the Chair interviews for the Pride in Place Programme today. We've seen some really incredible candidates all of which hold a deep passion for Penhill and its people. We'll be announcing the chair in due course. Share your views! willstone.org.uk/pride-in-pen...

I wanted to share some of my recent speech on the building of Swindon's drone hub given the stark realities of the world we live in. I know it can be scary and that's why I'm building this hub, so that the UK can provide high skilled jobs that protect us here at home.

Reforms to Right to Buy announced this week are a welcome step forward. Under the changes, landlords will no longer be able to acquire council homes at a discount and profit from the rent, a practice that has drained social housing stock for years.

Today I launched and was elected Chair of the new Cross-Party Parliamentary Group to Strengthen UK Defence Supply Chain. The UK's security and economic future depend on getting the defence supply chain right. Work starts now.

It was great to take part in the Westminster Hall Debate on Government support for mountain rescue. It's fantastic to see drone technology used to make the work of the volunteers working for mountain rescue even more effective.

Had a great time on the doors this week, talking to residents about what matters most to them. Don't forget to vote for your local councillors on Thursday 7th May. Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm. Don't forget to bring photo ID! Thank you to Simon Opher MP for Stroud for joining us.

Really amazing to be the keynote speaker at the first Unmanned Systems Network conference of over 250 companies at STEAM last Friday. The event brought together SMEs with large companies, the MOD and local recruiters all organised by the incredible team at SDO Associates.

This week I've been interviewing candidates for the Chair of the Pride in Penhill programme. This role will hold a high level of responsibility and bringing together the Neihgbourhood/Community Board. fill out my survey to be notified Board recruitment opens. willstone.org.uk/pride-in-pen...

It was fantastic to meet James from Helsing a defence technology company that play a vital role in enhancing NATO's security on the Eastern Flank. Helsing is in an exciting phase of rapid growth and actively exploring where to base their next facility - an opportunity to make the case for Swindon!

Great to meet up with Ian Lamont, a former Army Colonel, and hear more about his work at Applied Intuition. The company is pioneering work with AI to enhance both civilian and defence infrastructure.

This past month was a busy one for myself and my team. We are contacted regarding a range of issues by those across Swindon North. If you need need help or have a question, get in touch by emailing me at [email protected].

Lovely to meet Karve, a company that has built systems to connect cutting-edge British technology with the defence challenges facing our NATO allies, ensuring innovation developed here reaches those who need it most. Improving procurement is a crucial part of Swindon's defence cluster.

£1,841,702 for Swindon Council to set up a new SEND service called Experts at Hand. What does that mean? Quicker, earlier, easier access to specialist support from educational psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists for local children with SEND.

I've written to Chancellor Reeves urging her to increase investment in defence to keep our country safe. I am delighted to see that she is considering new 'war bonds' that would allow members of the public and financial institutions to buy bonds to raise money ring-fenced for national security.

Some of you may not know I sit on the Backbench Business Select Committee — the first of its kind in the House of Commons. We decide which debates backbench MPs get to bring forward, and where they're heard.

I am raising money to support The Club Stratton Royal British Legion in Swindon. Being an ex-Rifleman, the Royal British Legion is close to my heart. It is the last Royal British Legion club in the town, and we are looking to raise £20,000 to support the club with ongoing building maintenance costs

It was fantastic to a host a Drop-In event in Parliament with Eco Ninja's and staff from Great Western Hospital this week. They aim to introduce surgical theatre hat badges across the NHS which will easily identify all members of a surgical team.

Exciting to meet Vertical Aerospace in Parliament this week following their milestone two-way transition flight a major step towards UK certification. With their base near Swindon in Shrivenham, they're already great local employers and I'd welcome seeing them expand further into Swindon.

One of my central goals is to improve access to Education in our town and make sure that kids growing up in Swindon North know they can achieve anything they put their minds to and government are giving New College Swindon a £1.5m boost from the FE College Condition Allocations (FECCA)

Defence companies investing in towns like Swindon don't just strengthen our national security. They pay business rates, create skilled jobs, and put money back into local communities. Strong defence is good economics. Tackling the cost of living and investing in defence go hand in hand.

On the 7th of May we have some important elections in Swindon. This time, for the first time in many years, we have all 57 council seats up for election. Remember, you won't be able to vote if you don't take photo ID!

Great to visit nLighten, a fantastic Swindon based Data Centre, securely storing multiple companies data and protecting their ability to work effectively in the modern age. They're open to new clients and have multiple data options. You can find out more here: www.nlighten.com/en/edge-loca...

For some time now I've been working to support female service members in receiving appropriate body armour and am also pleased to support the Female Veterans Transformation Programme (FVTP). : covenantfund.org.uk/female-veter...

I know there is a high level of concern about the provision of SEND support in local authorities and schools. I'm raising the concerns parents have raised with me with the Education Secretary but in the meantime I am pleased that Swindon receiving an extra £285k, taking this year’s total to £2.6m.

Fantastic to be out in the sunshine today speaking with residents alongside Wes Streeting and local volunteers in Haydon Wick. I had some really important conversations with residents about the NHS, and how the Council and wider government can address concerns in Swindon.

In November last year Ofcom identified the disproportionate harms that affected women and girls on the internet and I recently joined a number of my colleagues in calling for Ofcom to recognise the specific harms that can disproportionally impact boys and men online.

I recently signed an open letter urging OFWAT and the DEFRA Secretary to reject Thames Water's bid to be immune from paying fines up to 2030. I have also written separately to Thames Water directly.

It's been a busy few weeks in Swindon North with £20m from the Chancellor for a new entertainment venue and a 7th Drone company setting up in the Swindon Drone Hub. Read all about it in my latest newsletter! willstonemp.substack.com/publish/post...

Really grateful to the work my team do on a daily basis to assist me in supporting residents of Swindon North with a variety of issues. If we can help we will, if you need support please contact us on [email protected]

Great to catch up with Danish company MyDefence who are choosing to set up their offices in Swindon. As global leaders in soldier-borne Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS), MyDefence are driving innovation with a soldier-first ethos, protecting infantry on the ground from drone attacks.

I was pleased to join Zelim and its Chief Strategy Officer Andrew Tipping for a fireside chat with innovators from the NATO DIANA programme, brought together by IoT Tribe.

Fantastic to meet Oliver Newman, head of business development and capture at Stark, a company that has set up its British site in Swindon! Stark are hiring and you can apply via the link in the comments.

Great to host a community surgery in Haydon Wick alongside Cllr Stanka Adamcova and nice of Cllr Ravi Venkatesh to stop by. I'm always looking to be out in the community when I'm not in London whether that's at surgeries, canvassing or visiting local businesses.

As the first British MP to have a Black Belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu, and former owner of a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym, I met with Stephanie Peacock, Minister for sport, media, civil expert and youth. It was a great opportunity to raise the profile of Parajiujitsu and see what support we can offer.

Lovely to meet Nye from Generation Rent. I recently signed a letter on the decent homes standard and support the work they've undergone to push Awaab's law beyond social housing into private rented accommodation.

Fantastic to meet JD Johnson, Vice President of Government Solutions and Strategy at General Motors Defense. GM Defense has teamed up with leading British companies NP Aerospace and BAE Systems as part of Team Lionstrike.

Hoxton Farms are leading the way in alternative proteins which is a major opportunity, not just for the economy but for health, sustainability, and food resilience. I am thrilled that the Government are backing the sector.

It was great to visit Prolinx and see first-hand the vital work being delivered right here in Swindon to support some of our most demanding, mission-critical environments by strengthening the UK’s digital resilience. I look forward to seeing how Prolinx can collaborate with the Swindon Drone Hub.