REMARKABLY it’s been a whole year since I was first elected as your local MP in that astounding snap election, and what a year it has been.

As I said during the election campaign last year, my priority in this role is representing all of our communities across Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, Golborne, Atherleigh, Lowton, Astley and Mosley Common, and fighting for the funding, the powers and the resources that areas like ours need and deserve.

Tackling injustice has always been at the heart of what I do and last week we all remembered back to that horrific night in June last year when we woke to the images of Grenfell Tower.

I had only been an MP for a week but I knew immediately the importance of giving those affected a voice and holding the Government to account on their promises.

That is why in my maiden speech a few weeks later, I chose to speak in the Grenfell debate.

I chose this debate purposefully because of the strength of feeling, and the themes of injustice and inequality that mean so much to me.

A year on we sadly haven’t made the progress that was promised, but through my role on the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee I am determined to fight for justice and meaningful change after such a catastrophic event which should never have happened.

I have challenged the Government on issues that matter to our constituency. Our transport system is not fit for purpose.

Austerity has bitten hard in this sector. Many of our communities are without an adequate bus service.

It is also unacceptable to me that a constituency such as Leigh, one of the founding areas of the first industrial revolution, is without a rail station.

Without rail infrastructure we are being held back from the economic progress of nearby cities and at risk of being completely excluded from the so called-fourth industrial revolution.

That is why over the past year I have repeatedly raised this in Parliament, securing a debate in the House of Commons, meeting the Rail Minister and holding important conversations with our regional transport bodies.

The early signs are promising with a rail review announced for Leigh over the coming months where I will be pressing for the investment our constituency needs.

Earlier in the year we also received some promising news for our area. Leigh was nominated by Wigan Council to be a part of the Town Centre Challenge.

These plans, if approved, will bring much needed investment and rejuvenation of our town centre.

This is a fantastic first step to boosting our local towns and I will continue to shape Leighs proposals.

The last year has been a whirlwind of events but I am confident that moving forward together we can secure great progress for our local towns.