After spending two years as a candidate, and knocking on hundreds of doors and talking to constituents every week, I know that, outside tackling the cost of living crisis and rebuilding our public services, reviving Ipswich’s town centre is a priority.

We have much to be proud of in our town, from our thriving arts and culture scene, to our beautiful, award-winning parks, to our stunning waterfront. However, like many high streets across the country, ours has fallen on tough times.

It is why, when given the chance to ask my first question at the first PMQs of this new parliament, I asked the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, for his support. I wanted to put Ipswich, and our priorities, on the map. And what better time to do it?

I was delighted that the Prime Minister not only welcomed Ipswich Town’s return to the Premier League in this response, but that he also recommitted to reforming business rates, a key ask of many local businesses to help level the playing field between bricks and mortar business and online giants.

Other measures we will take were outlined in our manifesto.

We will also tackle late payments which can be devastating to small and independent businesses.

We will also make it easier for councils to bring shops back into use, so we can see more success stories like the Botanist, which Ipswich Borough Council brought back to life after redeveloping the Old Post Office.

I know people are also concerned with anti-social behaviour, and that is why Labour have committed to putting more PCSOs back on the street, after the police and criminal justice system was gutted out under the Conservatives.

However, there is also the fundamental reality that, even if we fill Ipswich with new shops and businesses, if we continue to suffer under the cost of living crisis inherited by the previous Government, there won’t be enough money to sustain them.

It is why Labour have consistently made economic growth the core mission of our government.

This is not a theoretical notion, but about making sure people have money in their pockets so when they go shopping, want to go for a nice meal or spend time out with the family, they have the ability to do so.

That is how we can sustainably support local businesses, and our town centre.

My final point is about leadership, unity and ambition. Yes, it is crucial to identify and understand the challenges that face us.

However, it is not my job as an MP to be some kind of keyboard warrior, sitting from the sidelines whinging about all the problems. We had that for the last five years and look where it got us.

No, my job is to tackle issues head on, and look to solve them. It is to build partnerships, across the political divide, and with businesses and individuals who want to drive the town forward.

I have got to show ambition for our town, and being a walking talking advertising board, selling our town to our new government, businesses, and other organisations.

I will be showcasing all the things we have to offer, urging them to come and invest, telling them that this is an exciting place to be.

We are going to break with the past and do things differently.

People voted for change at the ballot box, and I am intent on delivering just that. I know we have so much potential, and that we can build a new future for Ipswich.

There is no time to waste, and that is why I have already got to work.