By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Gloucestershire’s newest hospital and securing £20m in levelling up funding for projects in the Forest of Dean are among ex-MP Mark Harper’s proudest achievements.
The Conservative former Transport secretary who had represented the Dean for the last 19 years lost the seat by just 279 votes.
He said it had been a great honour to serve the Forest of Dean and put on record that it had been a respectful election campaign.
He congratulated his successor Labour MP Matt Bishop and wished him well.
“I am sure he will work tremendously hard to live up to the trust that the people of the Forest have placed in him,” he said.
“We are lucky to live in a country where we can settle our differences through argument and debate, which is not the case for many millions around the world.
“You can make a huge difference as an MP, with two of my proudest achievements over the last few years being the recent opening of the new community hospital in Cinderford and the progress which has been made on the Forest’s £20 million Levelling Up Programme which will deliver improvements in Cinderford Town Centre, leisure facilities at Five Acres and new opportunities for young people at Hartpury University and Hartpury College.
“Now that I am no longer the Member of Parliament, I will be unable to handle any new correspondence. If you are a resident who had an ongoing case with my office before the General Election was called, I would encourage you to get in contact with Matt Bishop, who will be able to handle your query as appropriate.”