Well! Quite a lot has happened since the last edition of this fantastic magazine. As the last edition was during the Election campaign the Editor, in her infinite wisdom, pulled the usual political contributions. Now, thankfully, normal service has resumed.
My first and very pleasant duty is to thank the electors of North Dorset for re-electing me to continue my public service on their behalf. It was always going to be a difficult and challenging election and so it proved to be. Perhaps more so than I had anticipated when I look across our depleted benches in the Commons. I must confess that, and I know I am not alone, I have felt survivor’s guilt – it was doubtless the same at Rorke’s Drift or in the Crimea following the Charge of the Light Brigade. That is a personal side to the craft of politics that is not necessarily talked about. Politics is a human business and a family team effort. So are lots of jobs I know but sometimes the personal of politics is not recognised. To win is an emotional experience; to lose even more so. I saw some fallen colleagues visibly controlling their emotions as they emptied offices of years, sometimes decades, of serving their communities. While our politics is brutal (think Gladiator but with Order Papers) it is also civilised. We smile and shake hands with the victor and the vanquished (everyone did in North Dorset save one who may remain nameless) and then we get on with the job. We should be proud that election results in this country are not met with Trumpian revolt or States of Emergency being declared. A removal van turns up and shortly afterwards the new tenant arrives. A timeless Monarch providing the Constitutional link between old and new.
During the last Parliament there were several ‘oh he/she must be embarrassed to put Conservative on their Twitter or Facebook pages’. I never have but it is not out of embarrassment. Let me explain why. When I am a Candidate I put on Party colours – a blue rosette. I stand as a Conservative and badge myself accordingly. Having been elected I serve as the Member of Parliament. I am of course a Conservative. I take (and sometimes abide by) the Conservative Whip in the House of Commons. But, and it is a big but, as the MP I serve all of North Dorset – whether they voted for me, for someone else or did not vote at all. If they have a problem then they need to come and see me as their MP not as a Conservative. I am here to serve all of the communities that make up North Dorset and will always be as inclusive and welcoming as possible to one and all.
We are fortunate to live in a fantastic country. Not without problems and challenges. We all know that. Stuff needs doing at home and the world seems less safe and sure than we would like it to be. I want to wish the new Government well. They serve us all and we have to hope that good fortune shines on them. When it does, we all benefit. I was asked how I would conduct myself in Opposition. Let me try to answer that question. I will speak up and stand up for North Dorset, as I always have, without fear of favour. I shall badger and berate on behalf of my constituents (indeed I declined a Shadow Ministerial role to allow me to do so). I shall oppose the Government where I truly believe they are getting it wrong BUT I won’t oppose for oppositions sake. I will endeavour, as I believe my Party will, to be constructive. There are a lot of issues which will benefit from cross Party working. I am pledged to play my part in that approach. I know that is what you will want me to do.
