Alok Sharma's first Westminster Diary, May 20, 2010

Alok Sharma MP • Published 20 May 2010 20:00 1 Comment

It was in a somewhat surreal, fevered and unique atmosphere that I, together with many new Conservative MPs, arrived at Parliament on the Monday following the General Election to take part in a series of induction days.

We received a range of presentations on the practical aspects of setting up an office and working in Parliament.

Interesting though the presentations were, many of the new boys and girls spent a lot of time looking surreptitiously at their mobile phones for any breaking news from the outside world about a new Government!

On the Monday evening there was a meeting of the Conservative Parliamentary Party at which David Cameron set out the basis for continuing discussions with the Liberal Democrats and he received overwhelming support and backing from Conservative MPs.

And then on the Tuesday news came through that the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats had reached an agreement on a coalition Government.

The meeting of the Parliamentary Party held at 10pm that evening was an historic occasion with David Cameron addressing Conservative MPs for the first time as the new Prime Minister. As a new MP, it really has been a unique experience to have a ringside seat at the birth of a new government.

As I write this piece we have just had the election for the Speaker with John Bercow reinstated in his position and the new politics has definitely arrived with Conservative and Lib Dem MPs sitting side by side on the Government green benches.

We now look forward to the swearing-in of all MPs over the coming days, before The Queen's Speech next week which will set out the Government's programme.

I don't think anyone doubts that there are tough choices to be made but at least we look to have a stable and secure Government in place to see us through the next five years.

Former Labour Treasury Minister Liam Byrne's one line letter to his successor stating "there's no money left" after 13 years of a Labour Government, sums up exactly why the tough choices have to be made.

Back home in Reading my local constituency team and I have continued to deal with issues raised by local residents and I held my first surgery last Saturday which was well attended.

It is a real privilege to serve as the local MP for Reading West; my door is wide open for all my new constituents so please just get in touch if you need any help or assistance.

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  Sterling
  Unregistered User
  Jun 17, 05:48
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  An excellent speech from a newly elected MP that will truly benefit our community.It is refreshing to see such a professional MP take over the representation of Reading West.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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