The Conservative leadership contest has now moved on to the second phase, during which the final two candidates will travel the country and appear in a series of hustings. In the next few weeks, party members vote in one of the most important leadership elections in a generation. The winner will become our Prime Minister on 23rd July and will be responsible for not just delivering Brexit but for doing his best to unite the country and focus on the many other issues which require attention. I believe Jeremy Hunt is best placed to do this.

Although I supported Rory Stewart for the leadership and was proud to be associated with his original and refreshing campaign, I decided to support Jeremy Hunt when Rory dropped out. I was pleased to see how well he performed at the hustings. He inspired me with his post-Brexit vision and his huge experience of government was certainly very evident. Having known him for some fifteen years, I can certainly vouch for his integrity and judgment. Sadly, I could not say the same for Boris Johnson, and I was not surprised that he disappointed many of the attendees I spoke to at the hustings.

I will be in Stourbridge on Friday for several meetings and an advice surgery in the afternoon. In the morning, I am meeting the headteacher of Redhill School, Chris McGrail, as well as Stephen Dunster who is the CEO of the Stour Vale Academy Trust. Later, I will visit Age UK to discuss the charity’s local work and future plans, followed by a visit to Hollybush House care home in Amblecote to speak to residents.

I do not have a column next week, so I want to inform residents that my next Open Surgery will be on Saturday 6th July, 10am-12pm at the Crown Centre. Please do come along if you want to discuss anything at all, whether a personal issue or your views on who should be the next Prime Minister.

As ever, should you wish to get in touch with me, you can call my office on 01384 370574, or email me at margot.james.mp@parliament.uk. Please also sign up to my regular newsletter at www.margotjames.com/subscribe for more about what I am doing to represent you here and in Westminster.