Harold Wilson famously said "A week is a long time in politics" – and my goodness was he right!
On 11th October, I was selected as South Cambridgeshire’s Conservative candidate, replacing Andrew Lansley who will retire in 2015. I can scarcely believe where the time has gone – it’s fair to say my feet have barely touched the ground! As the end of the year draws near, I have been reflecting on what I have learned so far and what the New Year will hold for me.
As I look back over my first 11 weeks, I know I absolutely made the right decision to stand. I put my name forward because I believed my scientific and business background would be a good fit and I could be helpful to residents and organisations across the constituency.
Experience of running my own business means if I am successful next year, I will bring real-life practical skills to Parliament.
So what have I been up to?
I have tried to learn as much about the constituency as I can and you won’t be surprised to hear that housing and infrastructure has featured heavily in conversation.
At one end of the spectrum, residents in villages such as Melbourn and Barrington are rightly fearful of unwanted development, yet young couples across the region have e-mailed me about how they are desperate to find and afford their first home.
The growth in Cambridgeshire means we need help from government, because we can’t do it alone. The City Deal is a great start and I'm pleased I'm here at the beginning of the debate.
Working together
I have met neighbouring MPs to discuss how we can work as a team to push our needs up the government's agenda. The recent good news on the A428 shows this approach works.
Increased funding on health and education are at the top of my list and I know change is far more likely to happen if MPs lobby as a team.
I have seen the power of local communities in action. How ironic at Gamlingay’s Parish Council they talked about the success of their village community wind turbine and yet only a few miles away, the determined residents of Graveley are still fighting the aftermath of Cotton wind farm just across the border in Huntingdonshire.
Supporting you
What has struck me most is how reasonable and objective the people I have met are. By and large, residents and businesses are proud of the success of the area and are broadly happy to support growth.
What they are not prepared to put up with is infrastructure being provided as an afterthought, houses in unsustainable locations, houses unaffordable for the young and lower paid members of our communities and greenbelt being eroded in the name of greed.
If I become South Cambridgeshire’s MP next year, supporting these ambitions and concerns will be my job.
Building relationships
Has my learning curve been easy? I’d be lying if I said my grey cells weren’t just a little exhausted after meeting Nobel prize winners from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, or the brightest brains of Astra Zeneca – but did I feel I would be able to understand the leading scientific role they play and support their needs in Government? Yes I did.
Could I answer all the concerns of Conington’s parish councillors about the A14 upgrade or Longstanton residents’ questions about Northstowe? No, not every single one. But am I building relationships with the authorities who will deliver these projects? Yes I am.
On a personal note, I have been made to feel very welcome. My waistline would say too welcome! I have eaten birthday cake at Cambourne library, curry in Great Shelford, lunch with the Happy Hours club in Bar Hill, mince pies in Queen Edith’s and legendary banana cake in Croxton.
Thank goodness I have a few months of door knocking and leaflet delivering ahead of me!
2015: more to learn, more people to meet
As I look forward to 2015, I know I have only just begun my journey.
There is still so much for me to learn and so many more people I’d like to talk to.
Between now and May I will give every resident in South Cambridgeshire the opportunity to meet me, look me in the eye and decide if I am the best person to represent them.
If there are things in your community you’d like to show me, then please do get in touch on 07718 287 999 or e-mail me: Heidi-hi@heidisouthcambs.co.uk.
Wishing you good health and happiness for 2015. Happy New Year!
Heidi Allen