NOW the dust has settled, may I, through your pages, thank the voters of Atherton.

It has been a real honour and a privilege to have been the Member of Parliament for Bolton West for the last five years and to represent Atherton, the town I've lived in for 30 years. It is a wonderful constituency, made up of so many different communities and towns, and it has been a real joy to get to meet so many residents and to have worked with so many different community and voluntary sector groups, businesses, churches and other faith groups, schools and other organisations.

I was proud to lead campaigns to make every school leaver a lifesaver by learning emergency first aid and to get the laws on dangerous dogs changed after the tragic death of Jade Lomas Anderson. My other campaigns have been as varied as they have been numerous including better trains and defending youth services, as well as work on stroke, cancer, dementia, heart disease and care for the elderly and disabled to name but a few. I was proud to chair the Youth Affairs and Rail in the North Parliamentary Groups as well as be a champion for many charities including Whizz Kids, the Guides, the YMCA and the British Youth Council. Indeed, I've been like a child in a candy shop - every time I've met with different campaigners I've wanted to help, much to the exasperation of my staff at times who would despair at yet another campaign and yet more hard work! Indeed I've had an amazing staff team who helped me deal with 10,500 pieces of casework over the 5 years.

Every time I've spoken in Parliament (and I did speak a lot!) I've told your stories. I've tried to take Atherton, Westhoughton, Horwich, Blackrod and Bolton to Westminster, often telling stories of how the most vulnerable in our community were being affected by Government policy and I'm very grateful to all of you who let me tell your story.

Thank you to the many people who helped in the General Election campaign. Unfortunately, despite so much fantastic effort, we did not succeed.

Thank you to all of you who voted for me and for Labour,sadly it wasn't enough. I hope I will be able to convince more of you before the next election that Labour does have the answers to make our economy strong, to provide good jobs and to ensure that those who need the safety net of the welfare state get it.

Julie Hilling

Atherton