A record 335 new MPs will be sworn in this week – the largest number in the post-war era. Andrew Bingham, Conservative MP for High Peak between 2010 and 2017, has some advice for the new class . Mr Bingham, now a civil servant at the Department for Transport, also explains why he has started a mentorship scheme for those who have lost their seats .
Being a Member of Parliament is an amazing job. My advice to the hundreds of new MPs starting out this week is to enjoy the moment, but don’t forget the people who put you there. I found it was a fantastic privilege, first and foremost, to be able to represent your community.
For people like me who grew up in the area they represented, it’s very personal – you are voted in by your own people, and similarly you can be voted out by your own people. There is a massive sense of elation in entering Parliament . But it is also daunting.
I went to a local comprehensive school, but the first day felt what I imagine it feels like to arrive at an old-fashioned public school – something like Hogwarts from the Harry Potter books. You have 650 or so new workmates to deal with. A big part of the job is making new friends.
You also have to realise you can’t hate people on the opposite benches – it’s not productive. It’s important to make allies and build productive relationships with people in other parties to get things done. When it comes to networking, it’s not all about the drinking culture .
I used to go into the members�.