As I write this column, it’s only been a month since my election on 7 May. While it’s been a whirlwind few weeks, the one constant has been the overwhelming support and goodwill I’ve received from people across this constituency.

I am grateful for all of your messages, which have been a steady reminder of the responsibilities I now have. My commitment to everyone in Clackmannanshire is to serve everyone here to the best of my abilities for the next five years.

Regardless of your politics or how you cast your vote last month, my job is to represent each and every person all across this constituency. I look forward to the work ahead.

I was glad to have the opportunity in my inaugural speech in the House of Commons last week to pay tribute to my predecessor Gordon Banks for his hard work as a constituency MP over the past 10 years. I promise to make my work to support local people, communities and organisations central to my plans in this Parliament.

In my first speech, I also tried to set out the great strengths and opportunities that this area has in abundance. I want to be an MP who is a real local champion, who highlights what’s good about the communities which we live in and who looks for ways that we can build on what we excel at.

I know everyone who lives here is proud of our local heritage, our fabulous environment and our hard working reputation. I’ll do my best to promote these at every possibility.

I’ve tried to start as I mean to go on, by rolling my sleeves up and getting down to work.

It has been fantastic to join in with the community efforts in Menstrie to clean up the local area, and to talk to local apprentices at Diageo about their work and hopes for the future.

I’ve held my first local surgeries in Alloa and Tillicoultry, and so have had a chance to take up the case of several constituents who need specific help right now. I’ve already started looking for a local office so I have a full-time base in the area, and so hope to have this set up as soon as possible.

Over the coming weeks and months I look forward to visiting communities to listen to the hopes and aspirations of local people as I plan my priorities for the next five years.

I’ll be setting up regular local surgeries so that my team and I can meet people individually to discuss how I can help, and I’ll be looking to arrange a series of listening visits to local organisations so that I can develop an even greater understanding of the fantastic work that already goes on here.

In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to get in touch if I can be of any help or assistance.

Thank you again for all your best wishes since the election last month. I promise I won’t let you down.