With the election coming up, this will be my last MP view of this parliament. Parliament dissolves on the 30th March, so the country has no MPs until after the election! So I wanted, in my last MP View before May 7th, to reflect on the last five years.

Many readers will already know that before being elected I spent 28 years in banking and finance, so my outside experience is both considerable and has been very useful in reforming banks and financial services.

Working in Parliament is an extraordinary thing to do. It is like trying to do an incredibly serious job in Hogwarts!

But first and foremost for me, it has been about serving you all – the near 100,000 residents of Wyre Forest.

I was first adopted as the Conservative candidate in January 2004 so it was over six years before I was elected to parliament. I have spent more time working in the community as an unpaid candidate than I have spent working in the community as an MP and that means by far and away my priorities lie – and have always lain – with the community.

Over the years I have tried to act in a non-partisan way, taking the party out of politics locally, recognising that not everyone who needs my help will be a supporter of my party. In these weekly columns, I have tried (although confess I have probably not always succeeded) to be non-party political, recognising that the advantage given to me as he local MP to have a weekly column is one that should be used with respect and care, and not for partisan gain.

Over the next few weeks, there will be a lot of heat and light as the elections hot up for May 7. Candidates will make promises, but in choosing who to vote for, ask yourself three things: Is what this candidate is saying to me relevant? Is the candidate competent enough to be able to deliver on his or her promises? And finally, does this candidate share my values?

It has been an extraordinary privilege to have served you all for the last five years – a privilege that has been the most enjoyable of my working life. I am standing for election in May, but I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to have been your servant for five years.

CONTACT YOUR MP

  • Email: mark.garnier.mp@parliament.uk
  • Telephone: 020 7219 7198 or 01562 746771
  • Write: 9a Lower Mill Street, Kidderminster, DY11 6UU, or House of Commons, Westminster, London