About Me
I’m incredibly privileged to be the MP for Truro & Falmouth.
After qualifying as a lawyer, I worked as a Trade Union and Employment Rights solicitor, helping people get compensation when they were injured at work and supporting their employment rights. Then, life took me to Plymouth and then Cornwall when I married and settled here 20 years ago. As a single parent, I put my skills to good use, volunteering at the Cornwall Citizens Advice when my son was small and then working as a teaching assistant at Falmouth School for nearly 7 years while he was in school.
​
In 2018 I became the Labour Councillor for Falmouth Penwerris, (re-elected with over 60% of the vote in 2021), where I was able to connect with and support my community in many different ways, only stepping down when I was elected as your MP.
Since I've been elected
People often associate Parliament with Prime Minister's Question Time (PMQs) or learn about its proceedings through the news or social media. However, much of an MP's work takes place behind the scenes. Every MP has a unique set of registered interests, holds memberships in various Committees, and participates in All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs), which are informal cross-party coalitions. This collection of roles and responsibilities is known as an MP's Parliamentary career.
​
Committee memberships:
Since October 2024, I have been one of eleven committee members of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee. This committee is responsible for scrutinising the administration, spending, and policies of the Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. We have the authority to initiate inquiries, reviewing both oral and written evidence on specific topics, which often lead to the publication of a report. You can access the EFRA publications and inquiries here​
I have been involved in other committee memberships, such as the Water (Special Measures) Bill. These are also part of my broader Parliamentary career.​​
APPG officer roles:
-
Celtic Sea: I serve as the Chair and registered contact for this All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), which is dedicated to promoting the development and deployment of Floating Offshore Wind in the Celtic Sea. Our aim is to maximise the economic opportunities and Net Zero benefits for Wales and the South West of England.​
-
Deep Geothermal: As an officer of this APPG, I work alongside fellow parliamentarians to share information and ideas, while collaborating with stakeholders to foster the growth of a new British industry essential to energy security and achieving Net Zero. Our long-term goal is for deep geothermal energy to become a mainstream renewable energy source in the UK.
-
Floating Offshore Wind: I hold the position of Vice Chair for this APPG, which seeks to highlight the potential of floating offshore wind in the UK and enhance parliamentary understanding of the sector.