Labour MP for St Helens North, David Baines, has vowed to “work night and day to make sure we get the investment and support we need”.

The former council leader was elected to the role in the General Election on July 4.

Mr Baines has discussed his vision and hopes for the area with the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“The communities in St Helens North are proud and distinct areas with strong heritage. As someone who grew up here, lives here and is raising my own children here, being our MP is a privilege and responsibility I will never take for granted.

“Our communities are full of potential but for too long we’ve been trying to make progress with one hand tied behind our back. Labour is determined to deliver economic stability and growth so that we can invest in essential public services, support businesses to thrive, and break down barriers to opportunity to help everyone reach their potential.

“When I was council leader we started the job of putting the council on the right track. We rebuilt schools, improved children’s services, set up St Helens Together, and made progress securing significant funds for investment in our local area, including both town centres in St Helens and – in my constituency – in Newton-le-Willows.”

Mr Baines says he is “excited to see those plans through”, and particularly to bringing the historic Earlestown Town Hall “back into public use”.

He said: “Across the constituency we also have the opportunity for investment in essential transport infrastructure and I will be working to deliver improvements such as bringing Merseyrail to Rainford, a new rail station at Carr Mill and new publicly owned buses.

“I want to work to make sure that every single child in St Helens North has the best possible start in life, and that they get access to the homes, jobs and opportunities they need and deserve when they grow up. I am proud of our home and believe that together we can achieve that.”

Mr Baines also revealed his biggest priority as MP.

“My biggest priority is being a strong voice for the communities in St Helens North, making sure our voice is heard and our priorities are addressed,” he said.

“I have been given the opportunity to serve my home and I’ll work night and day to make sure we get the investment and support we need.”

He was also asked what has been the hardest part of being an MP.

“On a personal level the hardest part has been being away from my wife and children for a large part of every week, but it comes with the job,” he said.

“In terms of the job itself, I’ve been working hard to get my constituency office and staff team in place as quickly as possible so that I can start helping people who need my support.

“I’m pleased to say I now have a small team in place and we’ve already started helping hundreds of constituents.”

Asked what he enjoys outside of politics, Mr Baines said: “As a dad of two young children, if I get any spare time away from work they come first and foremost.

“I’m a huge Saints and rugby league fan and have been since I was 7, and I’m a Liverpool fan too.

“I go to the games as much as I can and I’ll watch almost any sport on TV. I’m the same with music – I can’t stand silence so I always have the radio on or some music playing, and I love going to gigs.”

Mr Baines was also asked if he thinks St Helens will make it to the Super League Grand Final, and win it.

He said: “Never write off the Saints, as Chris Joynt once famously said!

“It’s going to be tough because of all the injuries but if any club can, ours can.”