As we all now know, Liz Truss won the Conservative Party leadership contest this week and is the third female Conservative to become our Prime Minister. The Conservative Party is now uniting behind her.

Few people would envy the scale of challenge Liz Truss faces as she entered No 10 on Tuesday. She takes on the reins of Government with an in-tray arguably more difficult than any since the Second World War.

The cost-of-living crisis driven by the rocketing price of gas; the ongoing war in the Ukraine (which shows no sign of abating); backlogs in our health service; and the UK economy forecast to dip next month are all issues which need urgent attention.

The new PM needs to bring her legendary determination and experience of getting things done in Government to lead the country through these choppy waters ahead.

There is no shortage of experience, talent and promise among Conservative MPs in Parliament. I know Liz Truss will lean on the experienced shoulders of long-serving colleagues while taking advantage of the energy and fresh ideas of those elected to the green benches more recently.

She has pledged to take immediate steps this week to ease the pressure on families of rising energy bills. This will be essential to support households and businesses this autumn and winter and is the key issue of concern to constituents in South Shropshire. But she must also address the longer-term security of our energy needs by reducing reliance on imports and boosting new domestic production, not least from renewable sources and innovative technologies.

A protracted war in Europe will continue to be devastating for Ukraine, but we mustn’t let up in our support for President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people. The Prime Minister will need to be a strong voice in Europe as Russia continues to threaten the energy security of the continent and seeks to undermine EU nations resolve to support Ukraine.

Inflation will need to be brought under control and the risk of recession carefully managed to return to growth as swiftly as possible.

I did not support Liz Truss in the leadership election, but I fully intend to give her administration my full support from the backbenches. The team that she builds around her in No 10 will be critical to communicate her strategy and to deliver policy priorities to solve the problems we face. I look forward to working with the new administration to ensure the interests of South Shropshire residents are heard.