THE result of the general election is still reverberating through our politics.

For some, it is bringing hard work as ministers and new MPs get back to Westminster.

For others, it is an opportunity to advance themselves as they seek the leadership of the Labour Party.

It is also a chance for others to mire themselves in January gloom and dream of Tony Blair.

Someone I have noticed is working harder than most is James Grundy.

He has been a long standing and dedicated councillor to his community in Lowton East but, to his surprise and many others, he has been elected to be the Leigh MP.

I was the first non-Labour MP to represent any part of the modern Wigan borough and it was nearly 100 years since a non-Conservative represented the Leigh constituency.

The people of Leigh have made history by electing a Conservative to represent their constituency as their MP and it was one of the country’s most remarkable results.

Your decision to vote Conservative was as dramatic as the people of Bolsover rejecting Dennis Skinner and choosing a Conservative successor.

Indeed, we have seen a significant cultural shift which can be perfectly highlighted with the Ashfield general election result.

Their new Conservative MP is a former long-time Labour member and he used to be a coal miner.

British politics is changing and Boris Johnson is leading the change.

I am looking forward to working with James and other new colleagues to ensure that our voices are heard and we get the changes and investment to help our constituents.

As MPs, we not only have a responsibility to our constituents but also to challenge organisations in charge of key local services and stand up for those who have been failed by them.

A few weeks ago, we heard the terrible findings of the Child Sexual Exploitation Assurance Review, which investigated the historic failings of Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council in combatting grooming gangs.

It was found that children living in council-run homes were freely accessed by these men in the full knowledge of staff, and the police knew their identities.

Manchester is the latest town to have been found to be covering this up and Greater Manchester Police, our police force, has been found wanting.

I have written to Andy Burnham, our police and crime commissioner, alongside James Grundy and all of the other Conservative MPs across Greater Manchester, to call for greater support for the victims, the arrest of the criminals and also for the officials involved to be held to account for their action and inaction.

We are now looking forward to a timely response from Mr Burnham given the seriousness of this matter.