The record number of new MPs are finding it difficult to adjust to their roles in the 'new politcs' and the traditions and processes of Parliament, three new MPs revealed today.
The record number of new MPs are finding it difficult to adjust to their roles in the ‘new politcs’ and the traditions and processes of Parliament, if the testimony of three of the brightest new MPs elected on May 6 is anything to go by. Caroline Lucas (Green, Brighton Pavilion), Rory Stewart (Conservative, Penrith and The Border) and Chuka Umunna (Labour, Streatham) all united to express their frustration about being unsure how best to go about making an impact and changing things for the better.
The three newly-elected MPs were speaking at an ippr debate on ‘the role of MPs in the new political era’ this lunchtime, discussing what the new dynamic means for MPs, the difference having a Coalition Government will make to new MPs, whether internal party structures need changing and how to move forward to ‘a more consensual and deliberative way of doing politics’.
Chuka, talking about the challenges of being a new MP in opposition, said:
“It’s almost like there’s an outbreak of democracy in opposition, with the leadership candidates and those up for the shadow cabinet elections – having previously had a ring of steel around them – queueing up to speak to you.
“A quarter of the PLP are new MPs… it’s important for us not just to oppose for the sake of it, we need to be a much more discerning opposition, we can’t have any synthetic arguments, and if you are more constructive you will have more credibility with the public when you genuinely disagree, and the economy and tackling the deficit is one such area.”
Rory Stewart, meanwhile, divulged some of his reasons for going into Parliament and what he found when he got there:
“I’ve filed articles for the New York Times, been a professor at Harvard, I’ve been a diplomat in Kabul, I’ve been close to both Hillary Clinton and Richard Holbrooke, yet I felt that being an MP I could change policy.
“Yet once you arrive, getting things done is unbelievably difficult. I’m trying to save an agricultural college in my constituency, I’m trying to bring broadband to rural Britain, I’m trying to reform local democracy and give more powers to parish councils…
“Each one of these tasks is a full-time job, getting your head round it, dealing with all the different organisations and government department, lobbying various ministers, sneaking a word with them in corridors.
“It’s a complete cultural shift, it probably takes years to get used to. Parliament looks like a chapel – but it feels like a chapel of a lost religion like the ziggurat of Ur…“
And Caroline, speaking about her unique experience as her Party’s sole MP, explained:
“At times it is inspiring, but also bewildering and opaque. I tabled an amendment to the Queen’s speech debate with Plaid Cymru and the SNP, we did everything correctly, and when it came to debate it the Speaker threw it out – he decides which amendments get debated.
“It’s extraordinary, and quite unlike the European Parliament, where I’ve been an MEP for 11 years… I’m still getting to grips with everything in Westminster. We need to make the place a more functional and flourishing environment.
On the role of political parties, she added:
“I do think political parties are important, and matter – it’s important to be embedded in a set of beliefs, though we do need a different electoral system, which will lead to more plurality and less tribalism.“
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8 Responses to “New MPs unsure of their role in the ‘new political era’”
Shamik Das
My write-up of today's @ippr event @leftfootfwd: New MPs unsure of their role in the 'new political era': http://bit.ly/c9jIWI @BBCLauraK
LockPickerNet
New MPs unsure of their role in the 'new political era': http://bit.ly/c9jIWI via @leftfootfwd
Simon Murphy
@leicesterliz How are you finding the first few weeks? http://tinyurl.com/24cobvw
MyMP app
Perhaps they should start using MyMP! RT @leftfootfwd: New MPs unsure of their role in the 'new political era': http://bit.ly/c9jIWI
Ian Rees
RT @demsoc: Noted: New MPs unsure of their role in the ‘new political era’ http://bit.ly/cI7Kx8