I arrived in the House of Commons on the back of a bit of a result in Hornsey & Wood Green – having overturned, over the last two elections, a Labour lead over the Lib Dems of 26,000.
Heroic! But now what? Having been so busy getting here – you know the form – delivering leaflets, attracting activists, raising money, campaigning – now I’ve arrived – what’s to do?
The first hurdle was simply getting to know the names of our own MPs. Fantastic that we have grown to the point where I didn’t actually know everyone! And the new crop – and there are around 20 of us between new seats and new members replacing incumbents – are a keen bunch joining our elders and betters in what is and will be a defining parliamentary term.
We grappled with the etiquette of Parliamentary processes. No one writes down what is done and what is not done. Only osmosis and observation of practise can guide the uninitiated novice. And they (the other parties) certainly let you know if they disapprove or you get it wrong. Hear! Hear! Learning the ropes and the geography are equally challenging – but those challenges have to be learnt on the hoof as the business of the Commons rolls relentlessly onwards.
The need to deal with casework, constituents, campaigning, press, and beginning our fledgling efforts at Parliamentary Questions, Early Day Motions, Oral Questions, Prime Minister’s Questions, speaking in debates, putting in for Westminster Hall debates and so on and so on – is not helped by not having an office – parliamentary or constituency. (Like most new MPs and many returning ones, I’m distinctly under-impressed by some of the arrangements for newly elected MPs. If the rest of the country can run a general election, involving thousands of candidates, millions of votes and tens of millions of pieces of paper, surely Parliament should be able to sort out its plans for a few offices a bit more quickly? It’s as if Parliament wakes up the day after the election in shock that, hey yes, there are now some new MPs to deal with rather than having prepared thoroughly in advance).
But we hurled ourselves bravely into the fray. Maiden speeches done, the business of the House has been dominated by the Queen’s Speech agenda overstuffed with Home Affairs Bills, almost all of which we disagree with to some extent – and almost all of which emphasizes the authoritarian nature of Labour. From Incitement to Religious Hatred to Identity Cards – the overwhelming pressure is Labour’s relentless push for more laws, more restriction, more control – even before 7/7.
At around the 60 day mark the joy of winning the Olympics turned to sheer horror as the bombers struck London. Just by chance I chose that day to be the first day I ever drove into Parliament (lots of boxes to transport) and as I drove in to Westminster, the day’s horrors unfolded along my journey. I saw the tubes close and people emptied out, struggling along the now crowded pavements. I saw the buses disgorge their passengers as the news was communicated to the drivers of the bus explosion. The news morbidly rolled forward on the radio from speculative power surge to unquestionable terrorist attack.
The atmosphere when I arrived at Parliament was quiet but disturbing – with groups of staff and members huddled around TV screens. A statement from the Home Secretary would be made at lunchtime. We all filed in and waited for Charles Clarke to arrive. A sombre statement – with sombre response from opposition parties. In the following days the security increased beyond measure in and around the House. And the business rolled on – with Licensing, Cross Rail, Violent Crime Reduction, Asylum and Immigration, and much else. Then two weeks further on the terrorists strike again – only this time they fail – thank goodness.
The pattern of the days began to assert itself with some logic in my brain at this point. Mondays and Tuesdays we sit until 10pm and then vote and Wednesdays and Thursdays we sit until 7pm and then vote – if there are votes. First and Second Readings of a Bill, committee stage, report stage and Third Reading all now mean something real to me. The faces, the names and even Members’ constituencies are beginning to become familiar.
As Parliament broke for the summer, my sense was that we Liberal Democrats have a crucial role to play in the coming months. It will be vital to keep cool heads and not abdicate our responsibility to scrutinise legislation rigorously – particularly in the raised temperature of our country under threat.
If the first 100 days were a roller coaster of learning and events – let us hope that the next 100 will see us through to calmer water.
Lynne Featherstone 