Since last week a political whirlwind has come ashore in the form of our new Prime Minister - Boris Johnson.

I’m pleased to say that the new investment in local policing - which I was proud to support last year and which was spearheaded by Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst - is now bearing fruit as Town Centre Policing teams are being boosted throughout Essex.

As reported in last week’s Gazette there is great news for our local libraries with Essex County Council confirming, following their consultation, that they will not be closing any in the next five years, and will be investing £3 million in modernising the service.

The Essex and Herts Air Ambulance helicopters are a bright and welcome sight in our skies, with their red and yellow striped livery clearly marking their purpose.

Having written at the beginning of June about the initial stages of the Conservative leadership election, when thirteen candidates were still in the running, we start July with the final two candidates – Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson – ready to face the ballot of Conservative Party members.

Brentwood’s Strawberry Fair is always a riot of colour and fun, but this year’s event seemed to go above and beyond its previous jollity, helped largely by dozens of brightly dressed members of the cast of the forthcoming circus-themed production of “Godspell” at the Brentwood Centre.

One of the most important jobs as a Member of Parliament is getting out and about in the constituency, knocking on doors and speaking to constituents on their doorstep. You never know who you are going to meet, or where it might lead.

As everyone will by now be aware, there is a Conservative leadership contest underway. Following several weeks of cross-party talks, Theresa May came to the conclusion that she did not have the confidence of her party or of Parliament and that she should resign.

This month sees the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings in which Allied troops landed in France to begin the liberation of the Europe from Nazi occupation.

With the political situation in Westminster nothing if not eventful (more on this in the weeks to come) it is good to see community life here in Brentwood and Ongar thriving vivaciously.