I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to the 29,000 people who voted last Thursday to return me to Parliament for a fifth term and with a hugely increased majority.

Over the past five years, I have tried hard to balance my role as your local MP with my ministerial duties in the Government.

I hope that the result last Thursday is an indication that I have got that balance right.

I will continue in this Parliament to do everything in my power to be worthy of the trust placed in me by the electorate.

The Conservative manifesto on which I, and the Government, was elected is a manifesto for working people and, as a majority government, we will be able to deliver all of it: three million apprenticeships; more help with childcare; helping 30m people cope with the cost of living by cutting their taxes; building homes that people are able to buy and own; creating millions more jobs that give people the chance of a better future.

And I am already engaged as foreign secretary with the Prime Minister and the Chancellor in the first steps to delivering the promised in-out referendum on our future in Europe.

Thank you again to the people of Runnymede and Weybridge for your continued support.

RT HON PHILIP HAMMOND