As I write this week’s column, I have just taken my Oath of Allegiance to the Crown for the sixth time. This ritual, known as swearing-in, takes place with every new Parliament, and on the accession of a Monarch.
Albeit with some evolution – these days there is a choice of holy texts or you can make a non-religious solemn affirmation – this rite is one of those long traditions that remind us that we members come and go, but the institution of democracy must be a constant.
As we assembled for the election of the Speaker, the extent of change within the institution was amply illustrated.
While there are 650 constituency ‘seats’, there are only 427 actual seats in the Commons chamber. At PMQs and big moments, you really have to squeeze in. It’s one of the things that gives the Commons its intimate atmosphere: visitors invariably comment that it is a lot smaller than it looks on TV.
But when you have an election result on the scale of this one, even a big squeeze cannot fit all the government-side MPs into the government side of the House. Rather, Labour’s intake took up the upstairs side gallery and most of the floorspace too.
And when it came time for party leaders to give their congratulations to the re-elected Speaker, there were more than before: the Green co-leader, Reform, and Traditional Unionist Voice.
For my party, it was clearly a very difficult election and a bad result. It is vitally important that we now reflect with due humility and take the time needed to learn all the lessons, acknowledging where things have gone wrong. Then we need to rebuild, so as to ensure the best future choice for the electorate.
Now, we are into a new era in British politics. Labour have won a clear mandate, and I wish them well.
A fundamental feature of our parliamentary democracy is its oppositional nature: the simple principle being that good opposition promotes good governance – and that is now a key responsibility.
We must be constructive in opposition, while scrutinising carefully what the government does, and holding it to account for what it delivers. I intend to play a full and positive part in that, and as your representative to ensure that the voice of East Hampshire and our area’s interests is heard.
I want to add a word about the importance of our local, grassroots democracy, and pay tribute to all those who make it what it is. Although the media attention is on party leaders and the national campaigns, it is local volunteers that really make democracy work. They commit their own time to garner support for what they believe is best for the future of our area and our country, often without recognition. I want to thank all of them, in all parties, for what they do.
I also want to thank my fellow candidates. In East Hampshire it was a hard-fought, and close-run, election. But it was always conducted, on all sides, in a good, positive and mutually respectful spirit.
As I said in my acceptance speech in the early morning of 5 July, it is the greatest honour, privilege and responsibility to be elected as your representative, and I re-commit to doing my utmost to be the very best representative I can be.
