A few weeks ago, in a Farnham coffee shop, a polite child kindly opened the door for me as I juggled two cups of coffee. Moments later, her mother approached: “I’m so sorry you didn’t get elected. I voted for you, and if you stand again, I’ll vote for you again.”

It was humbling; one of many such encounters since the election. More than 17,600 people in Farnham & Bordon placed their faith in me and voted Liberal Democrat in last year’s General Election. A shift of just a few hundred votes would have meant the honour of representing you in Parliament. Regardless of title, I remain committed to serving you all.

Throughout the campaign, I met thousands of residents, on doorsteps, at bus stops, in shops. These weren’t just political conversations; they became personal connections built on trust. One voter, leaving a polling station, told me: "Look after us, Khalil." That profound statement is a reminder that trust is democracy’s most valuable currency, earned through listening, understanding, and action.

This constituency isn’t just where I campaigned. For almost a decade, it’s been where I work, lecture, where my family lives, and where I serve as a charity trustee. It will soon be my home. That deep connection, rooted in localism, is central to our Liberal Democrat values.

The priorities are clear. We must rebuild our economy and tackle the cost-of-living crisis; inflation remains a third higher than the Bank of England’s target. We must end the environmental disgrace of sewage pollution. And we must fix the NHS and care crisis leaving so many in distress.

Health and social care dominate every conversation I have. People wait too long for ambulances, GP appointments, and NHS dentists. The NHS, a cherished institution, is under unprecedented strain. The last Conservative government left a crisis: millions on waiting lists, exhausted staff, and crumbling hospitals. Frimley Park Hospital, with 65 percent unstable concrete, one of seven deemed structurally unsound, is only recently approved for funding.

Years of neglect can’t be undone overnight, but real investment, not short-term cuts, is essential. We need more GPs, NHS dentists, and pharmacists, alongside a renewed focus on community healthcare.

The care system is broken too, leaving unpaid carers, often family, struggling alone. I know this personally. I cared for my father through cancer, and my niece has MS. My brother is a GP living in Bordon and I have two sisters-in-law as GPs; I’ve seen healthcare’s frontlines. Yet carers remain forgotten. This must change.

Politics must rise above division. Too often, it exploits fear instead of delivering solutions. I believe in a better politics that truly reflects this constituency: compassionate, fair, and full of hope. Every child must get the best start, hard work should be valued, and no one should be left behind.

Our country is a force for good in the world. We must stand tall, defending human rights, working with allies, and embracing our role as proud internationalists. In an era of global instability, war in Ukraine, humanitarian crises in Gaza, hostages yet to be freed, and democracy under threat, our values matter more than ever. Since electing 72 Liberal Democrats, we have shown real leadership, standing against injustices, offering real solutions to real problems and uniting communities rather than dividing them.

The Conservatives have lost their way and are out of touch. Labour, too, must be held accountable. They cannot simply manage decline; they must offer real solutions.

As Liberal Democrats, we challenge, scrutinise, and demand better. We stand up for pensioners struggling with energy bills, families burdened by the cost of living, and communities fighting to protect their environment. We do not let the Conservatives escape responsibility for their failures. And we push Labour to act with the urgency our country demands.

My mission is to fight for fairness, compassion, and decency. For our communities, healthcare, children, youth, public services, environment, safety, and security. To those who feel ignored by politics, know this: you have a valued voice and the Liberal Democrats will listen. We offer you hope and a future that we can build together.

Khalil Yousuf: Former Lib-Dem parliamentary candidate for Farnham and Bordon constituency