Member of Parliament for Newbury Laura Farris talks about taking on the new role. She writes:

The first days as a Member of Parliament are like nothing I have ever experienced.

The new Member arrives in Westminster to find they have been allocated a peg, a locker and not much else. You are part new recruit (receiving training on IT and HR), part small business owner (setting up an office, buying computer equipment and hiring staff) and part Parliamentary performer (guided by the Speaker and the Whips). Overall it feels pretty overwhelming.

One month on and the pieces of the puzzle are gradually coming together. I’ve recruited some excellent local staff and finally been allocated a Parliamentary office. I still get lost on a daily basis, am appalled by the amount of masking tape holding up the staircases and try to ignore the numerous mousetraps. Parliament appears to be a kind of Versailles for the capital’s rodents.

There have been moments of magic in the Chamber. It has been genuinely moving to hear the maiden speeches of colleagues from both sides of the House, describing the experiences that shaped them and the stories of the communities they represent. The maiden speeches offer a rare moment when political allegiances are set aside, the heckling stops and each member is shown respect for their commitment to public service.

But by far the most important achievements of my first month have been progressing the priorities of Newbury and the people of West Berkshire. I’ve attended meetings at the Department of Trade to discuss Newbury’s businesses and the opportunities arising from new trade deals. I’ve joined the Conservative Environment Network and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Climate Change chaired by Caroline Lucas. I saw how much people cared about this issue during the election and will work within my own party and on a cross-party basis to elicit real change during this Parliament. I’ve participated in a meeting with Berkshire’s MPs to coordinate on the issues that matter here and determine a joint strategy to maximise results. Above all, it is a genuine privilege to be in Westminster, and I will use every opportunity I have to further West Berkshire’s interests.