Maynard writes back from Westminster

I received this in my inbox yesterday and I thought I would share it. Doubtless some of you also got it and therefore have already seen it. It’s Paul Maynard’s first letter from Westminster, with a bit of a weekly diary thing going on.

During the campaign, I promised to issue a regular report of what I was up to in and around both Westminster and the constituency. I have sent you this email because I believe you may be interested to read about my activity, but if you would like to unsubscribe, simply click on the ‘unsubscribe’ link at the bottom of this email. So here is the first of what I know will be many “Letters from Westminster”.

The election
It would be churlish of me not to take this opportunity, first and foremost, to thank all those who supported me in the election. It is a great honour to be your MP, and I am well aware of the heavy weight of responsibility which now bears upon me.

At the end of the message, I have attached a transcript of my acceptance speech on election night. I know many of you will have seen me on TV, fist aloft – but I know the TV coverage didn’t linger on the speech. You can also watch coverage of my interview with the Gazette on election night here:
http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Election-2010–Blackpool-North.6278504.jp?CommentPage=3&CommentPageLength=10#comments

Office Arrangements
Like any new MP, I must ask my constituents’ forbearance whilst we go through the process of sorting out an office and support staff. This inevitably has an impact on turnaround time for correspondence, but I am seeking, insofar as is possible, to hit the ground jogging (but maybe not sprinting).

Importantly, I have already arranged my first surgery. It will take place at the Claremont First Steps Community Centre on Friday 28th May from 3.30pm to 5pm. Appointments will last 15 minutes and can be arranged by contacting my House of Commons office on 020 7219 7017. If you think you will need longer than 15 minutes to explain complicated cases, it may be worth you sending paperwork in advance for me to consider – then we can spend the 15 minutes discussing the way forward. Please also bear in mind that I can only see those living within the constituency boundary, and cannot take up the cases of relatives who may live in other constituencies. They should approach their own MP.

Cleveleys Sure Start
So what have I actually been doing? Well, the day after the election, my first official event was to open the new Sure Start Centre in Cleveleys. I was delighted to do this, especially as Labour had spent the entire campaigning going round saying I was going to be shutting them. Of course that was untrue. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the staff, and wish them well in their new endeavour.

The Gazette printed a photo with some coverage here: http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/thorntoncleveleys-news/Fylde-children-get-a-Sure.6287018.jp

Saturday & Sunday
The weekend was spent trying to catch up on sleep if anything! Election campaigns are exhausting. I’ve also been without hot water for getting on for a week, so that was causing its own issues. We did have a get together for the hardcore Campaign Team on Sunday, and could catch up on all the developments nationally.

Monday
The big day. Off to Westminster. True to my word, I went down standard class. I don’t travel first class normally, so see no reason why I should as an MP. Those Virgin Pendolinos are comfortable enough for a 2 and a bit hour trip from Preston. Obviously, a service from Blackpool North would be even better! One for the in-tray …

I get down there knowing there is to be a meeting of the Parliamentary Party at 6pm. First stop though is the New Members’ Reception to pick up my security pass, my new laptop and do the thousand and one other bits and pieces needed to make the admin side of life function at the House of Commons.

The Parliamentary Party meeting took place in the cavernous Committee Room 18 – an absolute barn of a hall. There was a real thrill in the air as no-one quite knew what was going on, and very few could remember having so very many in the Parliamentary Party. It was standing room only – I was right at the back and stood on a wooden bench so as to get a clear view of David Cameron – still not Prime Minister at that point – explain the latest twists in negotiations.

Tuesday-Thursday
Induction days. It is like being the new boy at school. You’re not quite sure where things are, who does what, or what that important-looking gentleman doesn’t do. We had briefings on so many issues it was difficult to absorb everything – and on top of that I had to keep up with the basic tasks like finding where they delivered my post each morning!

Tuesday was obviously a very special day as it saw David Cameron enter Number 10. It may not have been the result so many wanted – an outright Conservative majority – but the country did not elect a Conservative Government. We have to be big enough to recognise that, and in the national interest, we have to ensure that the new coalition with the Liberal Democrats works. I have every confidence it will, and believe it ushers in a new era of politics.

I spent part of the evening in the Westminster Arms pub – I had one eye on the TV with BBC News 24 on detailing the new Cabinet, the other eye was on the TV tuned to Sky Sports with Blackpool slotting goals galore past Nottingham Forest. Quite a combination!

Mayor-Making in Wyre and Tea Rooms on the North Pier
A late train home on Thursday and an early(ish) start on Friday to see Alan Vincent hand over the Mayoral chain in Wyre to Russell Forsyth. I wish Russell every success in the role, and hope he raises lots of money for his two charities, the NSPCC and the Women’s Section of the Royal British Legion. It was good to see so many friends and colleagues for the first time since the election, and pleasing to see just how genuinely pleased so many are that I have been elected.

It was then on for the final appointment of the week which was to join the opening ceremonies for the new Victorian Tea Rooms at the end of the North Pier. I have long argued that Blackpool needs to build on its heritage to help attract more tourists. We are crying out for an attraction such as this – and it lives up to its potential. The scones were superb! More importantly, I was able to bump into a number of people who I need to sort out meetings with early on – the networking has begun in earnest.

I could go on, and on, and on, but I won’t. That’s my first Letter from Westminster. Let’s see what next week brings.

Regards,

Paul

Disappointingly you now have to “book” Paul if you want a chat via his House of Commons office but I suppose this comes with the busy schedule of being an MP.

Taking guesses as to how much expenses Paul has run up in his first week. Note the travel to and from London at short notice, free laptop, and stay over in London. I’m guessing around £1500.