MY first week as a Member of Parliament…to be honest, despite all the campaigning and hoping and planning, as an ordinary girl from Darlington it’s still pretty hard to compute those words.
Last Thursday night is all a bit of a blur but I will never forget the moment I took to stage at the Dolphin Centre to accept the role of Darlington’s MP. I had just been handed a writ from the King inviting me to join his Parliament. I had a moment of pride.
Lola McEvoy making her acceptance speech in the Dolphin Centre at about 2.30am on Friday morning. Picture: Chris Booth
But the role of an MP is to represent the people of the constituency, and on that there really isn’t any time to waste. So on Friday, only a few hours after we stood together on that podium, I met up with my predecessor Peter Gibson to discuss the job and the local casework that would need to be handed over to ensure no constituent is left behind.
I want to thank Peter not only for his service to the town, but also for the diligence and openness in sharing this with me. I will ensure that this vital work on your behalf, which is far more important than tribal point scoring, is continued.
On Monday morning, after a little bit of sleep, it was time to formally get started in Westminster. I left from Darlington station with two equally excited fellow newbies – the brilliant Alan Strickland of Newton Aycliffe and Sam Rushworth of Bishop Auckland.
Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister, with the new Labour MPs, including Lola McEvoy. Picture: Stefan Rousseau, PA
Once in the capital, we gathered with all Labour elected politicians to meet the new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, in Westminster. The feeling of pride was overwhelming. This is the first time in my working life we've had a Labour Prime Minister and to be part of this new government was humbling.
READ NEXT: PETER GIBSON: THANK-YOU, DARLINGTON, FOR THE JOURNEY OF MY LIFE
A lot of people have said arriving at the Palace of Westminster was like the first day at school. The mixture of not knowing what to expect, meeting new people, and simply feeling very small in a big, new place… it’s all got a bit of a Hogwarts feel to it. It's a truly awesome building steeped in history so I've made a note to learn as much from those who've walked the corridors before me as possible.
Lola McEvoy in Westminster Hall
I also encountered several familiar faces, including one I hadn’t expected: Ben Houchen, the Tees Valley Mayor, who had been invited to meet the new Prime Minister, so I took the opportunity to introduce myself.
Us new MPs were given our induction talks, the most important of which, to me, was the Seven Principles of Public Life. We were each given an A5 piece of card with the core traits we are expected to exhibit as an MP: selflessness, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, leadership.
I will carry that piece of A5 card with me throughout my term as Darlington’s MP and keep its words front of mind at all times.
Lola McEvoy swearing in. Picture: BBC Parliament
After our training came the swearing-in in the House of Commons. This was really nerve-wracking. The minute your foot crossed the threshold of the Commons chamber you felt this sense of history and a great responsibility.
I just kept in my mind's eye all the stories people on the doorstep have shared with me and as I stepped up to give my oath of allegiance to the King, I thought to myself: this is my opportunity now to deliver for our community, for my hometown.
It was and will remain the most incredible honour.
Before my feet touched the ground, I was back on the train to Darlington, to meet the Chancellor!
Lola McEvoy and Rachel Reeves in Imperial Express, Darlington. Picture: Stuart Boulton
I was so delighted that Rachel Reeves visited the town, and, of course, the Treasury offices in her first week on the job. We had a cup of tea in Imperial Express where she discussed plans to grow our Economic Campus and create economic growth and more good jobs for local people.
Darlington was once a world leader in industry, so why not again? Now I’ve been elected, I will work tirelessly to make this opportunity a reality.
But first we need to ensure that highly skilled jobs currently here stay there – which is why yesterday I joined a delegation at Hitachi, in Newton Aycliffe. Labour has committed to act to protect this industry and its jobs – we simply cannot afford to lose them.
And that was my first week as an MP!
I know many people are keen to hear more so please feel free to follow me on Facebook, where I will be posting regular updates. And if you have a query, please bear with me just a little bit longer – very soon I’ll be able to share my new contact details and surgery and office times.
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