This is the first in an irregular column I have been asked to write for Gazette readers, commenting on issues of local importance, and trying to answer that much-asked question: what do MPs actually do?
It has been an extraordinary time to enter Parliament, with a new and untried coalition government trying to control a huge financial crisis. But the early signs are encouraging for Herefordshire.
Yes, the cider duty has been repealed, and the operational allowance for troops doubled, both measures that will help many local people.
But of greater long-term significance are the coalition's decisions to sweep away regional authorities and allow local people far more say on planning issues; to ramp up support for small businesses; and to move to commissioning of healthcare run by GPs.
Herefordshire has led the way in giving GPs more control over how and where patients are treated. The national shift is potentially of huge significance in supporting the county – allowing earlier and better care, and taking some of the current pressure off the County Hospital and Ross Community Hospital.
As for me, my goals for the first three months were simple: get offices set up in Parliament and in the constituency; ensure the huge volume of correspondence and case work is being properly handled; and make my maiden speech, while trying to figure out the arcane and mysterious ways of Parliament. And most crucially of all, vote.
All of these have been achieved, and I will talk about them in future columns. In the meantime, readers who want to contact me can do so via [email protected]">[email protected], or at Ste 3, Penn House, Broad Street, Hereford HR1.
Jesse Norman, MP