THIS will be my last column of the Parliament.
I would like to thank the Echo for giving me this privilege, which I hope has informed, entertained and, no doubt, caused a few jaws to clench.
Serving as your MP for the past seven years has been an immense privilege and honour.
The job is never dull and I’ve been fortunate enough to meet countless people who contribute so much to South Dorset.
I would like to pay tribute to many of them.
An MP never acts alone and there’s nothing I’ve done, whether it be encouraging new jobs, fighting for fairer school funding, challenging NHS re-organisation, exploring faster rail links, promoting a western relief road, boosting tourism, supporting our fishermen and farmers or standing up for our Armed Forces without the help and support of others.
With regard to the latter, I am proud to be part of the team that fought and won justice for former Royal Marine Sergeant Alexander Blackman who will be freed imminently.
Vanquishing the threat of a giant wind farm off Swanage was a challenge, too, while plans for a commercial helicopter company to replace the SAR service on Portland continue apace.
What do I hope for in this general election?
A caller to the radio station LBC summed it up for me.
She said this election was about the future of our beloved country and that self-interest should, on this occasion, play second fiddle.
As I’ve said, repeatedly, I believe that united we stand, divided we fall.
There are those who want the latter, regrettably, especially in Scotland, but I know in my heart that the majority of the British people wish for the former.
And that’s where I stand at this election.
Now, it’s over to you.