New year, new website

I hope you like my new website. I and my team have built this beta version ourselves, and we can change and add things as we go along. There's more work to do and a lot more content to add, especially in the issues section, but we're keen to hear from readers with ideas for new features or issues you'd like us to include.

A new feature is a sign-up and support function where you can choose to receive e-mail updates from me or donate to support my work.

It's timely to launch this new site at the start of what will be a busy year. My constituency work will always take priority, and there are a number of local issues which are still commanding a great deal of my attention - schools funding, the Arundel bypass, broadband, the rail service, and (inevitably) local planning. These are all covered, or will be very shortly, on the new site.

I thought I'd add more information about the national and global issues which I'm working on, including TB and LGBT rights. These are big years for both causes, with a High Level Meeting on TB at the UN General Assembly in New York in September, and a focus on LGBT issues at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London in April. I'm also about to announce a very exciting new global LGBT initiative - watch this space.

The website also features the new think tank which I set up and chair, The Project for Modern Democracy. P4MD is really gearing up this year, with new projects in some very interesting policy areas where undoubtedly innovative thinking and reform is needed - justice, planning and the operation of markets.

With this growing list of projects that I'm working on, I've realised that I need more help! So I'm recruiting a new Chief of Staff as well as a replacement for my wonderful Secretary & Caseworker, Caroline Ready, who is retiring to France at the end of this month. If you are interested in either of these positions you can find out more here.  [UPDATE: THESE POSITIONS HAVE NOW BEEN FILLED].

I look forward to your feedback.