Community groups met with newly-returned MP Iain Duncan Smith in a bid build ties with their representative in Parliament.

Redbridge and Waltham Forest Citizens, part of national community organising charity, Citizens UK, met with the Chingford and Woodford Green MP yesterday (Monday, June 12).

The aim of the meeting was to build and develop relationships between civil society members and whoever was returned as the constituency’s MP.

Mr Duncan Smith agreed to attend the group’s Great Get Together, a national event due to be held on June 23, where communities will come together in memory of MP Jo Cox, who was murdered last year.

Moya Moffat, a leader of Redbridge Citizens from Saint Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church, said: “We thought it would be great if the elected MP joined us for the Great Get Together Meal so they could meet their electorate and help build a strong relationship with civil society.

“Iain Duncan Smith spoke of his hope for greater prosperity within the constituency, of improvement to air quality and protection of open spaces, and of local housing challenges.

“We look forward to working with him on these and other local issues.”

Citizens UK is a charity, which aims to organise local communities to work together toward the common good.

Redbridge and Waltham Forest Citizens is made up of 18 different local institutions, such as colleges and faith groups, and represents more than 20,000 people.