This column is rather inaccurately named this month – I have not been in Westminster but mostly in Dorset. Being a Member of Parliament means living in two different places – in London during the week in term time, but back at home in the constituency on Fridays and weekends and during recess. My family and I have lived in Dorset for over 20 years, so it is always nice when I can spend more time at home. MPs will be back in Parliament from the start of September, and then I’ll be back in Dorset for the conference recess.
Recess means that I have more chance to be out and about in the constituency, chatting to people and visiting organisations and businesses. I have been highlighting some local businesses through my social media channels over the last few months – if you have a great businesses or organisation please do let me know so that I can publicise their work in my “Spotlight on Mid Dorset & North Poole”.
Social media often gets criticised for some of the toxicity and negativity that can arise. It can also be incredibly useful for keeping up to date with what’s going on. I have been on twitter and facebook since before I was elected, and I am taking my first steps in Instagram and Threads – the new social media channel. Time will tell whether it becomes as popular as those that went before! I like to keep constituents up to date with what I have been doing, and social media can really help. I am always very happy to publicise other events through my social media – so please do get in touch if you want an event shared.
Just before the summer I was back at school – chatting to teachers and answering questions from students. If you are a regular reader, you will know that I particularly enjoy visiting schools, and I am delighted by the recent announcement by the Prime Minister confirming a pay increase for public sector workers including teachers.
For more details about what I have been doing – both as your Member of Parliament, and also as Solicitor General, you can sign up on my website to my email newsletter. I send these out monthly, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Although we have been on recess, my work continues, and I have been holding phone and in-person surgeries as usual. If you have an issue that needs resolving, please do get in touch – my team and I can’t promise miracles, but we will do our best to help. We have recently helped people with housing, HMRC and passport and immigration issues.
