In a letter to the Editor of the Redditch Standard, published in today's paper (September 27th), Rachel said:
"I lost the election, but I didn’t lose my voice or my right to speak out on the issues I care about.
Redditch and the Villages is still my home, and I have opinions on what this new government is doing just like everyone else does.
Sadly, it seems some Labour activists think I should shut up and put up. Well, I’m not going to do that.
Our new MP and his party made a number of promises in order to get elected and I intend to hold them to account just as our new MP’s supporters did when I represented our constituency in Parliament.
Every week I would open up the Redditch Standard to see letters from Labour activists and Councillors criticising me. Whilst not everything they said or claimed was true, it was their right to do that, I was elected to serve the constituency.
Scrutiny and accountability are vital in our democracy, and just as I was scrutinised and held to account for how I voted, our new MP and government should expect the same too.
A strong and effective opposition to this Labour government is needed, it’s what Redditch and the Villages deserves, and I intend to use my voice to do just that."
