The nerves and pleasure of an MP’s first day

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The primary day of any new job leaves your abdomen churning, even in case you are prepared and raring to go.

Throw in a bunch of cameras and an expectant public, and maybe the strain could possibly be an excessive amount of.

However not for the category of 2019 (not that they may let on anyway) – the 140 model new MPs striding their method into Westminster.

MPs are spending the week choosing up their passes, discovering their places of work, electing a brand new Speaker, and swearing in, forward of the Christmas recess.

However how did they put together? What are their hopes and fears? And who do they wish to keep away from within the corridors?

The primary seat to alter fingers on Thursday evening was Blyth Valley, which noticed the long-time Labour constituency flip blue.

Ian Levy was the person to take it for the Tories. His preparation for his journey from his north east constituency included going for a curry together with his household – the Sunday Particular on the Maharaj’s Lounge to be exact.

However come Monday morning, tying up his shoelaces earlier than heading out for the prepare, the nerves kicked in and he admitted he had butterflies in his abdomen.

“The entire thing is thrilling, the entire day,” he stated. “I am most excited to fulfill the brand new MPs. As soon as I get in and see some acquainted faces the butterflies will cease.”

There shall be a lot of Conservative colleagues to get to know – 365 the truth is – however who’s he wanting ahead to assembly essentially the most?

“Properly, I already met Boris Johnson on the weekend when he got here up,” he stated. “However I am wanting ahead to assembly him once more and carrying on the work.

“He informed me he was overwhelmed we would finished so nicely.”

Whereas he’s already planning his maiden speech within the Commons across the themes of crime and anti-social behaviour, he might have one thing extra sensible to type out first.

“I have not began searching for someplace to remain in London but,” he admitted.

‘Individuals discover if you get it improper’

Fleur Anderson made the one achieve of the evening for Labour, taking the seat of Putney in west London.

She will not be going through a brand new home hunt, having lived in Wandsworth for 25 years, and as an alternative will simply have to “recce the route” so she will be able to cycle into Westminster.

The previous councillor has nerves too – however what about?

“Doing the correct factor,” she stated. “There are heaps and plenty of guidelines and procedures to get your head round.

“I get plenty of assist from my Labour colleagues, however I’ve a really huge e-book to learn and other people discover if you get these items improper.”

Fleur will not be drawn on who she will be able to’t wait to fulfill as she would not wish to present favour, however she is fearful about being “star struck”.

However having labored carefully alongside fellow London Labour candidate Faiza Shaheen to unseat Iain Duncan Smith in Chingford and Woodford Inexperienced, she’s not eager to fulfill the previous Tory chief in Westminster’s corridors.

“I’ve already ran into him and I’m not in any respect completely happy about it,” she stated, fascinated with what might have been. “Seeing him right here within the corridors is simply miserable.”

However on the high of her agenda is beginning a Roehampton fan membership.

“Individuals know Putney for the boat race and being leafy, however there’s a fantastic neighborhood within the Roehampton council property that will get ignored,” she stated.

“I would like it to be celebrated and other people within the space to get what they want.”

Lengthy commute

Amy Callaghan took a excessive profile scalp within the election, profitable the seat held by the now former Lib Dem chief Jo Swinson.

She’s obtained an extended journey down from East Dunbartonshire on the prepare – 4 hours and 20 minutes – so what’s going to she be doing on the commute?

“Clearly I’ll have plenty of work to do and emails to answer to, however Netflix is high of my agenda as nicely,” she stated smiling.

“I’ve virtually run out of issues to observe however I really like podcasts too and there’s a new true crime one based mostly in Australia I wish to hearken to.”

She has been within the Commons as soon as earlier than in her early twenties when campaigning for the Teenage Most cancers Belief – Amy herself was identified with pores and skin most cancers at 19 – however how did it really feel to be again as an MP?

“It’s simply surreal to be…