Bois - Confessions of a Recovering MP

I ts entirely possible that you may know what an MP actually does. After all, the work of an MP is by its very nature a very public job. Barely a day goes by when something they have done, said or been challenged over is not in the news. And thats not accounting for when a scandal erupts, usually over money, sex or both.

I do, however, want to add a note of caution.

When I became an MP in 2010, I thought I knew not only what I wanted to do but also how best to achieve those goals and what would be expected of me by constituents, party and Parliament. By 2015, when I left the House of Commons, I finally understood how bloody wrong and naive I had been.

So, who are these MPs and what do they do? Why do over 32 million people turn out to elect their representatives in the first place when, if opinion polls are to be believed, over two thirds of the country dont rate or trust them? What do we really expect from them, given that most of the time we barely give politics a second thought? Lets face it, most people have better things to do than think about MPs for more than a few seconds a day. We Brits tend to think about who is making the next cup of tea more than we think about who is making our laws.

You, however, are different.

While quite a lot of people think that MPs as a breed deserve abolition, and that the Houses of Parliament should be turned into a theme park, you on the other hand seem prepared to withhold judgement. After all, you have in your hands a book about Parliament and MPs. Dont worry, Ive made the cover as harmless as possible to make sure you dont get disapproving stares from others as you read. With any luck, they may think youre reading a 60s spy novel or the latest offering from Jeffrey Archer.

Let me put my cards on the table, though.

I love the institution of Parliament and believe it serves our country well. Rest assured, I have not seen fit to write a dull defence of MPs, more a journey through both Westminster and the constituency that will help you reach your own conclusions on that score. I hope that you may also be left reflecting on the unique complexities of everyone involved in this extraordinary democratic process: the constituents, the ministers Prime Ministers, even and of course the humble backbencher, a mantle I happily and proudly wore for five years.

In writing this book, I have not set out to educate you on the processes of Parliament or to be included in the GCSE Politics syllabus. If it is deemed fit for academic reading lists, I will have failed. Instead, it will, I hope, cast some light onto a system that has outlived you and I some ten times over and seen the country through more challenges than any other institution or person could weather, except perhaps for the monarchy. All this despite the many foibles and weaknesses of both individual Members of Parliament and the very Palace of Westminster itself.

As you will discover, this isnt a political book; its a book about political life. Its the inside story of a backbench MP, devoid of ministerial restriction but packed, I hope, with a little humour, a few anecdotes, plenty of irritation and some purpose. Oh, yes, and the odd kiss and tease.

Finally, let me assure you, no constituents or fellow parliamentarians were harmed during the making of this book. Although when you have read it, you may wonder how on earth that was the case.

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Nick de Bois
Hertfordshire
January 2018