As a new MP I swore the oath of allegiance and ‘took my seat’. Tradition dictates that a new MP can not ask questions and fully participate in debates until they have made their maiden speech. I managed to get an early spot for my maiden after 6pm on a Tuesday evening. Tradition also dictates that maiden speeches should always be non controversial but even so I managed to include mention of our hospital, intensive baby cots and palliative care local issues.
After the first week or so of camping out in a temporary office along with many other new MP’s I eventually was allocated an office in Norman Shaw South building which used to be ‘Old Scotland Yard’. I agreed with David Gauke, MP for neighbouring South West Hertfordshire to share an office. We both felt that because of the proximity of our constituencies and hence common issues, that this would make sense. David and I shared offices before; back in the mid nineties when we were both Parliamentary researchers.
I have always made it clear that I want to be a good constituency MP. Many MP’s base their office staff in Westminster but I want mine in the constituency where they can help the constituents with any problems and I can be based with them when I am not in Parliament. I have recruited three local people with the skills needed to run the office but more importantly to offer a service to constituents. As it happens all of them are experienced Dacorum Borough Councillors which means that they have already demonstrated their willingness to serve the community and have experience of helping people with their problems. The new constituency office is at 11-13 Alexandra Road, near Hemel town centre and the telephone number is 01442 267033.
I have worked in the House of Commons on and off for the last eight years and I did not expect many surprises. I was in for a shock. A good friend of mine congratulated me on my election and then strangely said to me “welcome to the world of small business”. Business? Surely not I am a politician. “Not so,” he said. “As an MP you have a goal, to meet the needs of your ‘customers’. To achieve this you need a strategy and a tactical plan. You must communicate benefits to your ‘customers’ and keep in constant touch with them. To meet their needs you must build and maintain an organisation. This involves defining roles, key result areas and recruiting suitable employees to fulfil these needs. All this needs financing and whilst funding is available from the tax payer, you need to plan, organise and control your resources and revise plans accordingly. You need to budget your costs. As a manager and employer you need to recruit and retain staff. Lead and motivate them and abide by all the employment legislation that nowadays applies to employers. You have a payroll, suppliers to pay and you have no certainty that your customers will stay loyal forever, unless of course you can continue to meet their needs.” He was of course quite right. I am now looking at the ‘business’ of politics in a whole new light.
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