CATHARINE Sadler is very kind to describe me as a conscientious and hard-working MP (Too late to save NHS? Letters, December 11).

But unfortunately she is quite wrong to accept the trade union Unite’s misinformed and inaccurate allegations about me.

As I immediately pointed out in the Hereford Times, neither of the two donations to my campaigning work identified by Unite is from a private healthcare provider.

I speak at dozens of events every year, for organisations ranging from think-tanks and universities to private companies, and the fees from these engagements and from my journalism go to Herefordshire charities, including the £200 raised from the event hosted by Quiller Consultants in 2011, which had nothing to do with healthcare.

Ms Sadler also mentions that I did not attend the recent debate on Clive Efford’s Private Members Bill.

For what it is worth, Private Members Bills rarely become law. But even had I been able to attend the debate I would have voted against the Bill, because it would undo many sensible recent reforms to the NHS; reforms which are already proving their value to people in Herefordshire.

As a Member of Parliament, everything I do is focused on supporting the people of my constituency, my county and my country. In particular, I have made improving local healthcare in Herefordshire one of my main priorities.

Hereford Times readers will know that in recent years I have led local efforts to protect services at Hereford and Ross hospitals, save money on the on the Private Finance Initiative, fight high car parking charges and support local GPs, among other things.

Nationally, my campaign on the PFI has saved taxpayers over £1.5 billion.

My record on these issues is set out in my Parliamentary Report and in a recent healthcare leaflet, both of which are available on www.jesse4hereford.com or by mail from my office.

JESSE NORMAN Member of Parliament Hereford and South Herefordshire