Plymouth is my home.

Full statement

It was where I was born and where I live. I come from a family with strong links to the city -- my father served in the Royal Navy as a submariner based in Devonport, and my mum taught at Marjon. I lived in Peverell for ten years before moving to Stoke. I was the first Plymouth MP to be born in the city since Michael Foot represented Devonport in 1945. That's why I am so honoured to have served as the Labour and Co-operative MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport since 2017.

Our city doesn't get its fair share of funding from the Conservatives. I am a proud Janner and proud to stand up for our city in Parliament. Since being elected I have spoken over a thousand times in the House of Commons and I have run vocal campaigns demanding a better deal for Plymouth -- for our local NHS, school funding, policing, transport, housing, fishing and the environment. You can find out more on my website.

After the Keyham tragedy in August 2021, I am determined to change our nation's gun laws for the better. Working with groups across our city, I proposed Keyham's Law in Parliament and successfully persuaded the Government to link medical records to firearms licences. I will keep fighting so that no community has to go through what ours has.

As well as being your MP, I have served in a variety of frontbench positions. I was the Shadow Environment Secretary for two years and, since Putin's invasion of Ukraine, I have served as the Shadow Armed Forces Minister. I'm proud to back our Forces, veterans and their families. I've challenged the Tories on veteran poverty, on the scandalous quality of military housing and on their habit of outsourcing defence manufacturing jobs abroad.

With your backing, there's lots I have been proud to achieve. I successfully proposed the UK's first ever National Marine Park at Plymouth Sound. I fought to save Plymouth-based HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark from being scrapped, and for Type 26 frigates to be based in Devonport. I secured £1.8m of support for Keyham and Ford after the tragedy. I campaigned for Plymouth to become a national centre for marine autonomy. And I support thousands of people each year with requests for help. But there's much more to do.

I'm my own man and I'm proud to relentlessly stand up for my city. Plymouth deserves a better deal -- our fair share - and I won't stop until we get it.