Here in Farnham, Bordon, Haslemere, Liphook and our surrounding villages, people work hard, build businesses, raise families and take pride in their communities.

I have an unshakeable belief in those people and in their ability to build a better future when government gives them the freedom and opportunity to do so. Opportunity, enterprise and personal responsibility.

Sadly, I feel Labour is taking Britain in the opposite direction.

Last Wednesday, the Office for National Statistics confirmed that inflation rose to 2.9 per cent in July. When the Conservatives left office, it was at the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target. It has now remained above that level for 22 consecutive months.

This means higher supermarket bills, more expensive energy and less money left at the end of the month for families in our area.

At a time when household budgets are already under pressure, the Government should be helping to bring costs down, not making life more expensive.

The same is true for businesses. The latest figures showed unemployment at 4.9 per cent, while job vacancies have fallen to a five-year low. Our jobs market has stalled.

I hear regularly from local businesses about the pressures they face. Retailers, hospitality businesses, construction firms and those on our high streets are all dealing with rising costs and uncertainty.

Labour’s tax rises and new employment laws risk adding further costs at precisely the wrong time.

There is a fundamental choice here: do we trust the people who create jobs, invest in our communities and keep our local economies moving, or do we believe that Government knows best?

I know which side I am on.

Next week, Andy Burnham will face Parliament for the first time as Prime Minister. Having entered Downing Street during the summer recess, he has had weeks without the normal level of parliamentary scrutiny.

That changes when Parliament returns. People across the country deserve answers on rising prices, a stalled jobs market and the direction of economic policy.

I believe Britain should be a country where hard work pays, enterprise is encouraged and people have the opportunity to improve their own lives.

Government has an important role, but it should create the conditions for success rather than trying to run every aspect of our economy.

That means controlling taxes, reducing unnecessary burdens on businesses and restoring confidence in our economy.

Britain’s greatest strength has always been its people. I believe the same is true of our constituency. We should trust them, back them and give them the freedom to succeed.

That is the Britain I want to see - a country of opportunity and enterprise, where hard work is rewarded and communities like ours can thrive.