There's a first time for everything

This past week has been about first steps, meeting new people (and councillors), and doing new activities for the first time.

In that spirit, I was delighted to make my debut for Havant Hockey Club last Saturday against Poole.

Having trained with the First XI and been awarded Honorary Membership, it was great to start a league match.

I even managed to score a goal and win the Man of the Match Award.

Nominations are now coming in for my first Havant Small Business Awards.

Run with The News as our media partner, I’m asking readers to tell me who their local favourite businesses are across 12 categories – from Best Pub to Best Family Business.

Congratulations to Lance Quantrill, the newest member of Havant Borough Council.

Lance was elected last Thursday to represent West Leigh following the tragic death of Frida Edwards.

He is a hardworking, knowledgeable local man, and I look forward to working with him.

It was good to see Lance at his first meeting as a councillor last Friday.

We discussed the devolution of powers from Whitehall to Havant, which I’m supporting in Parliament.

I’ve visited every secondary school in the Havant area, but I had another first last Thursday night, when I headed to Oaklands School for their performance of Kiss Me Kate.

I enjoyed meeting the cast after the show, a hugely talented group.

I also made my debut at the Havant Youth Conference, where I spoke about the importance of working hard and making the right career choices.

Before that I also visited St. Alban’s Primary School in Leigh Park, one of the top performing schools in the constituency, for the first time.

Pupils grilled me on my work as local MP.

We’re now just a few weeks away from the Budget and the start of the new financial year. I spoke last week in Westminster in support of the Chancellor’s income tax cuts. Around 40,000 Havant residents are taking home more money every month since 2010.

I’d like to say thank you to readers of The News for their continued support.

Visit alanmak.org.uk by Friday, April 1 to have your say in the Havant Small Business Awards.