I am greatly honoured to have been returned as the Member of Parliament for Brentwood and Ongar for the third time having been re-elected last Thursday at the General Election. Elections are gruelling experiences for those who fight them (and perhaps often for those who have to vote in them – what with the constant bombardment of policies, positions and politics).
Over the past six weeks I’ve managed to lose some weight and gain a tan (something my skin does not readily agree to). I’ve calculated that between the election being called and the result, I walked over 500 miles and – as a former history teacher – gained some valuable insight into and respect for the distances medieval armies might have been able to cover. We know that in 1066 Harold Godwinson’s army marched from Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire to Senlac Hill near Hastings in 18 days – about 15 miles a day every day. This was even faster pace than myself and I had modern shoes, modern roads and didn’t have to fight a battle at both ends of the journey.
Although the battle for Brentwood and Ongar was a success for me it came at some cost. My majority has been reduced due to Reform and nationally it was, of course, an historic defeat for my party. We are now in the process of considering the causes of that loss and starting the long process of working out how we can regain the trust of the British people. As one of the surviving Conservative MPs I intend to be closely involved in that discussion.
Thank you very much for putting your faith in me again – it is one of the great honours of my life to serve this community as your elected representative. I celebrated this weekend by visiting the (rather wet) Tudor Fayre in Doddinghurst. Despite the weather it was spectacular. Maypole dancing, Morris dancing, hunting birds on display – merry olde England in the rain.
If ever I can help with anything please do get in touch at www.alexburghart.org.uk
