Sometimes big political decisions that impact our lives don’t always attract the full glare of the Parliamentary and media spotlight, as ministers showed by dealing with two issues of huge importance to this constituency – regional housing targets and the Eco-town – without fanfare or fuss. They simply sent letters to local councils telling them both were dead – removing the threat of thousands of new homes being imposed on us against our wishes with the stroke of a pen. Their decisions were striking examples of how government works behind the headlines – and of ministerial power too because it will require legislation to abolish the regional policies which won’t come before MPs for several months. But councils have had their instructions. They also illustrated ministers’ determination to deliver ‘localism’ – the doctrine that local people themselves should decide local issues. Amen. Unfortunately, this worked against us on another important local issue – fire station closures – when Bob Neill said he wouldn’t intervene. It was, he insisted, a local decision. And his logic was impeccable: if ministers shouldn’t dictate housing numbers here, why should they determine the number of fire stations? Bob’s announcement came during a short Commons’ debate, a frustrating experience. Chris White, MP for Warwick and Leamington, initiated the debate, and under Parliamentary rules only he and the minister could speak. Happily, Chris generously allowed me to make an ‘intervention’, to put some key points forward. Obviously, the new government has been determined to make its mark early. And new MPs have been impatient to make theirs. I’ve made my maiden speech, spoken in two other debates, and put several questions to ministers. Also I won election to the Commons Select Committee on Business Innovation and Skills. Select Committees are influential, and membership of the Select Committee on BIS, which watches over Vince Cable’s department, was especially coveted, with 27 of us contesting the five places for Conservative backbenchers. I was thrilled to be elected, a great vote of confidence from colleagues. And as a member, I’ll certainly draw on my experience with YouGov, as well as champion rural businesses – which is why I’ve been pushing ministers on high-speed rural broadband. My maiden speech didn’t go exactly as expected. I put in to speak during the economic debate on the Queen’s Speech and dutifully sat in the Chamber for six hours before being told I wouldn’t be called. After a meal and a large glass of wine to console myself, I returned to the Chamber for the concluding speeches – to be told ‘There’s one slot left ‘if you want it’. Did I! The Commons Chamber is an awesome forum. You sense the great political figures of the past are watching you. You know your colleagues are watching and judging you – in my case the Chancellor and other ministers among them. At least that allowed me to caution them directly against being too heavy-handed with capital gains tax on start-up businesses. I can also report I’ve now decamped from the Members’ Tea Room to my new office (hallelujah), and I appeared on Newsnight to discuss the scrapping of regional development agencies. A debate I am sure we will also be having here regarding Advantage West Midlands. Of course, my constituency work continues to underpin my Parliamentary activities. The range of engagements has been diverse. Meeting county and district councillors on parking in Stratford. Attending the council’s ‘State of the District’ debate. Discussing Henley station and disabled parking at the RSC. Visiting the CAB offices, Stratford College and Alcester High School. Attending the Schools Multi-cultural Arts Festival. Every engagement contributes to my learning curve as your MP. And every moment in the constituency provides a welcome contrast to the claustrophobic environment of Westminster – sending me back there on Mondays refreshed and raring to go again. Please keep my diary full.