I’d like to start by wishing all Echo readers a very happy New Year. While some of us got to enjoy time with family and friends, I know that there are many readers who will have continued to work hard over the festive period. I hope that, however you’ve been able to spend your time over the last couple of weeks, you have been able to find a few moments of rest, relaxation and reflection.

Last year was a momentous and busy year in politics and 2025 is shaping up to be busier still. I’m very much looking forward to a positive year ahead, meeting and supporting constituents and making progress on the issues that matter to people in Southampton Itchen.

This year, I will ramp up my work to protect our waterways and clean up the River Itchen. The government recently put forward tough new laws to hold private water companies to account. These companies have been treating our rivers with contempt, and I’m pleased to have been asked to be on the Bill Committee for this vital bit of legislation. This means that I’ll be one of a small group of MPs who will scrutinise the fine detail of the new law to ensure that it works – both nationally and for my constituents in Southampton Itchen.

Alongside this promising new national legislation, I’ll also be campaigning for bathing water status for the River Itchen. While it’s not a silver bullet, bathing water status would be a valuable tool to help improve the river as it would mean water quality is consistently monitored, and places obligations on firms to deal with pollution when it occurs. This in turn will help restore confidence that people won’t get ill from swimming or watersports on the Itchen. Achieving bathing water status is challenging but necessary - so I’ll be working with residents, campaign groups, the council and companies across Southampton to make it happen.

I’ll also continue to advocate for constituents whose homes are affected by cladding and fire safety issues. Readers of my previous columns will already be aware of how this affects so many people in Southampton Itchen and why I’m determined to help end this scandal once and for all. New legislation is a step in the right direction but I know that the promise of action alone will not reassure residents who already waited for too long for a resolution. I won’t shy away from asking challenging questions of my colleagues in government and pressing for action to deal with this once and for all.

So, as I look ahead to 2025, there are lots of challenges – but also opportunities. Meeting constituents is one of the best parts of this job and I’ll be looking at more ways to see you – from roundtables on specific issues, to coffee mornings and ‘pints with your MP’. In the meantime, you can arrange to come to a surgery or email me at darren.paffey.mp@parliament.uk if I can help with anything. Best wishes to you all for a healthy and happy 2025.