GRAHAM LEADBITTER: It has been a whirlwind first month as your new MP
It is a privilege to represent Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey as your Westminster MP.
It’s just four weeks since election day and it feels like months of learning, actions and travel have been crammed into that short time.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly not complaining as I knew what to expect having worked for MPs previously, but with additional business being debated on Mondays and Fridays as the new Government made the most of the four weeks before the delayed summer recess it has certainly put additional pressure on.
MPs of all parties in the north and north east of Scotland, and the islands, would acknowledge that this combined with the long commute makes the Westminster, constituency balance and work and life balance tricky.
So I’m glad that recess has arrived - not because it’s a holiday but because it gives breathing space for the essential tasks of setting a constituency office up with a full staff team.
I’ve given two substantive speeches so far - the first being my maiden speech and second on the bill to nationalise railways - something that I am proud that the SNP has already achieved in Scotland.
However, there are significant issues that it would still benefit Scotland if the UK Government is willing to accept amendments, notably on leasing of rolling stock which featured in my speech.
Whilst researching, understanding and speaking on current issues is at the core of an MP’s role, indeed the main purpose of them going to parliament, there is also constituency casework.
Email has made it far easier for people to communicate with their representatives, consequently the average MP employs five full time staff members to manage casework, conduct research, manage a busy diary, media demands and much more.
My priority was to get a head of office in place and we’re now interviewing for other team members.
To give it some context, in addition to the parliamentary demands I’ve received around 300 separate cases in the first three full weeks!
Inevitably with no staff immediately after the election response times will not be what I would wish, however, urgent casework is prioritised.
For those who have emailed about policy positions or for a campaign, I am paying close attention to the issues and you will get a full response as soon as possible.
I wouldn’t describe it as being thrown in at the deep end, I knew what I was taking on, this early phase is 100mph for a couple of months before settling into a rhythm.
Notwithstanding practical challenges I have been at several summer events in the constituency.
I had the pleasure of attending Forres Games, Lossiemouth’s Seafest, Nairn Agricultural Show and Dufftown Games, where I met many people and I thank everyone for their kind words.
The big Badenoch and Strathspey events are next up and I look forward to meeting folk at the Grantown Show, Nethy Games and Newtonmore games in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile I will be working with MSP colleagues in the area - Kate Forbes, Fergus Ewing, Richard Lochhead and Emma Harper. If you have any issues you would like to raise, please email graham.leadbitter.mp@parliament.uk .
My Facebook page is: fb.com/GrahamLeadbitterSNP
Graham Leadbitter (SNP) is MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
