I WOULD like to start this week with a huge thank you to my constituents for re-electing me as MP for Wantage with an increased vote share and a record number of votes.

It has been a great honour to represent each of you over the past 12 years and I am relishing the opportunity to continue working hard to hear, voice and address your concerns over the course of the next Parliament.

Evidently, this is not the overall outcome that the Conservatives expected. The Prime Minister called the election with a view to increase the Conservative majority and strengthen her mandate as we head into Brexit negotiations. This result clearly did not deliver that.

What the election did show is a clear rejection of the narrative of a 'hard Brexit'. The government must now work to negotiate an outcome that works for the entire electorate. This process should involve listening to voices across the House of Commons in order to develop a more consensual approach and ensuring that those who voted Remain are resolutely included in the conversation.

A lot of excellent, hard-working MPs lost their jobs in this election – as too did many bright, young staff – and it is vital for incoming MPs to build upon their work for their respective communities.

Most notable for readers of this newspaper is the loss of my colleague Nicola Blackwood as MP for Oxford West and Abingdon. Nicola has been a brilliant Parliamentarian, a tireless campaigner, a tremendous minister and her presence will be missed both in Oxfordshire and Westminster. Congratulations to Layla Moran, the new MP, who I look forward to working with on county issues.

There are a number of outcomes from this election that are positive. Whilst exact figures are yet to be released, polls suggest that the turnout of young voters has increased dramatically compared to last General Election. This is excellent for political engagement as a whole and reaffirms the need to increase the government’s focus on the issues most affecting young people.

Further, this new Parliament is the most diverse to date. The total number of female MPs has jumped to a record 208 – up from 191 elected in the 2015 General Election. There has also been an increase in LGBT, ethnic minority, disabled and state-educated MPs. This reflects a considerable change in the landscape of British politics and is a welcome step towards truly representing the nation as a whole.