Happy New(ish) Year to all! Today is back to Parliament day – and I apologise for not blogging much last week but given my days were taken with paperwork and emails I spared blog readers the blow by blow account of all that!
But now – it’s off with a whooshhhhhhhhh to 2007 and a whole new portfolio as the Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for International Development. I have been devoting my attention to getting to grips with the issues, names and places that will now feature much more heavily in my work. Although there will undoubtedly be a bit of travel, I am not a great believer in gadding about for the sake of it – so have asked for assessments on where I do need to go and where not.
My previous Home Affairs job was very full on – both in terms of Parliamentary time (lots of legislation, statements etc) and media and speech demands outside Parliament. So I gain back some time in those areas – but will probably find that I do have to do some travel.
I don’t want to change the balance of my constituency / Parliamentary time as it seems to work pretty well at the moment. So – hopefully the change in portfolio will balance out to roughly the same time commitment as before. We will see.
Today I have my first meeting with my new team. The Parliamentary Lib Dem team I now join is home to Defence and Foreign Affairs as well as International Development. That’s this afternoon!
Anyway – just thought I’d let you know that blogging is back on. And say a big hello and welcome to a new MP blogger – my LibDem colleague Steve Webb! It was Steve’s move from Shadow Secretary of State for Health to being responsible for our new manifesto that shuffled a few people around leaving the gap at International Development in the Shadow Cabinet!
His blog is at webbsteve.blogspot.com
Webb on the Web – I like it! It was really Steve who inspired me to become an internet campaigner and I well remember attending a training event by him at an autumn conference – so he has a lot to answer for! In terms of trying to give the everyday life of a working MP to those who elected us – I am sure he will find it worthwhile. Good luck Steve!
Lynne Featherstone 
Lynne, you are NOT the “Shadow” International Development Secretary – you are the Lib Dems’ spokesman on it. Only the largest opposition party in Parliament (the Conservatives) are allowed such status. What do you think of my blog? Good luck in your new role and happy New Year!
Happy New Year. Good luck with the new job.
Nice blog Justin. You keep people we informed about local issues. It appears extremely “informative”. Keep it up! Now, you are welcome to follow the Conservative party policy “go and hug a hoodie” hahahah.
Good luck Lynne – I just hope your successor at Home Affairs will fit into your old shoes.