MPs Holiday Myths

31.07.06

There is a popular myth that MPs go on holiday for 3 months when Parliament isn’t sitting in the summer. In reality, few MPs take breaks longer than the 2 to 3 weeks most people have.

For me, this is a time primarily for work in the constituency. As well as continuing to hold advice sessions – visit this page of my website  to find out when you can see me – there’s more time for meeting residents and listening to local views. 

This summer, for the first time, I’m trying out a “supermarket surgery” and a “street surgery” – different ways of making myself available for people to discuss their issues with me.

There’s also plenty of campaigning to be done – whether on Surbiton Hospital or on fighting crime locally. 

There’s plenty of catching up to do – especially on background reading. When Parliament’s sitting, life can be fairly frenetic, so there’s almost no time to reflect. I’m trying, for example, to monitor the Department of Trade and Industry closely at the moment – in my role as the Liberal Democrats’ DTI Spokesman. So my reading list includes material round the recent Energy Review and the collapsed Doha world trade talks. 

Yet I’m pleased to say there is also more time to do “normal stuff”. More time with family and friends and more time to relax. Hope you have a good summer!