Answering Back: Mark Lancaster MPThere is no such thing as a 'normal day' for a Member of Parliament, but we asked MarK Lancaster MP to give OlneyOnline an insight into his day, and how life had changed as a member of the Government rather than Opposition.
"Every day in this job is different. And within each day the topics that occupy me vary wildly from houses in multiple occupancy, to the rehabilitation of young offenders and school places. A Monday can begin with a meeting in Milton Keynes first thing, followed by a string of meetings in London before Parliament sits at 2.30pm. I will often be in the Chamber then, speaking in debates or asking topical questions, and the House often sits until 10.30pm. If there is an adjournment debate relevant to Milton Keynes – for example that of my colleague Iain Stewart MP on public transport – we can be sitting even later.
As far as my constituency work goes my job has not changed at all since the Coalition Government was formed. In Milton Keynes I am non-political: my main aim is to support and represent my constituents. However, in Parliament there is a difference from being in Opposition to Government.
Whereas before I was agitating from the outside, now I am able to lobby Ministers, many of whom are my friends, and access more information, and therefore press for more change for Milton Keynes and the rest of the UK. I have also taken a junior ministerial role of Parliamentary Private Secretary to Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for International Development which is an exciting challenge but allows me to use my expertise from my 22 years as a soldier." |
