LAST week was a very busy one in Parliament!

On Wednesday, I asked Prime Minister Rishi Sunak about my campaign to complete the Atherleigh Way at PMQs.

I also met with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove MP, to discuss ‘Lexit', restoring an independent council for Leigh, and met with Rail Minister Huw Merriman MP to discuss finalising the plans to reopen Golborne station and the remaining issues around safeguarded land along the route of the now cancelled HS2 Spur (an issue of which I have personal experience of, both as a resident of Lowton, and in my former role as a councillor there).

Finally, I met with Roads Minister Richard Holden MP as a follow up to my question to the PM about completing the Atherleigh Way.

All the meetings were very positive, and the ministers have gone away to examine the various proposals.

Of course, this week is also set to be a busy one in politics, with the local elections taking place on Thursday, May 4. Two things will be different this year though.

Firstly, due to boundary changes, all local councillors are up for election rather than just one third, so every voter has three votes this year rather than just one.

Secondly, if you are voting in person at the polling station, you’ll need photo ID, such as your bus pass, drivers’ license, or passport, due to new voter ID rules to prevent fraud. Don’t forget to bring yours to the polling station!

I’ve also had chance to get out campaigning with our excellent local Conservative candidates in both Lowton and Astley in between voting on new legislation to stop the small boats illegally crossing the English Channel, and I hope to visit more areas with our candidates before polling day.

Finally, of course, the weekend after the local elections the nation will be celebrating the Coronation of King Charles. I daresay the whole country will be in a fantastic mood, and I’m very much looking forward to visiting several community events across the constituency to mark the occasion.

I hope everyone in the Leigh constituency enjoys the forthcoming events to celebrate the Coronation, and I look forward to seeing many of you there!