As Parliament has now dissolved, I want to say that it has been the honour of my life to serve as your Member of Parliament for the last 14 years.

I thank my constituents in Hendon for electing me on four occasions. At the last election, I received 26,878 votes, the highest number of votes for any candidate in the constituency since 1935.

I have worked tirelessly to bring together the diverse communities of the Hendon constituency working with religious groups and leaders in our synagogues, mosques, churches and temples. I am particularly proud to have been a strong voice for the Jewish community – too often under-represented in national politics.

Reverting the role of an MP back to the status of a national representative, rather than a glorified councillor, I concentrated on the issues in the preserve of an MP. However, there will always be more to do. The Council has dragged its feet over infrastructure issues even though I secured inclusion in various government programmes.

I have kept my word in never claiming for food or a second home allowance and have continuously lived in the Hendon constituency - even when my personal security came under threat. I have always voted in the best interests of my constituents - even against my own party. 

People regularly ask me, “What is the best part of being an MP?” I find that easy to answer: it is the people - sometimes funny, occasionally frustrating, regrettably heartbreaking, but never boring. 

It is hard choosing to leave a job that you love but having been elected continuously for the last 22 years – as a local councillor and latterly as MP – my elected status has taken a huge toll on me. Now I have reached a year in my life that I can undertake another challenge, where if I was elected for even another term that period of opportunity would be diminished. 

That is why I have decided to step down, but I would not change it for a thing.

I know that Hendon has a fantastic local advocate in Ameet Jogia and I trust that he will take forward all that we have achieved.

For now, I look forward to what the future brings, not only for myself but for the people of Hendon and this great country.

Thank you.