NEWLY elected MP for Thornbury and Yate Luke Hall has described his first week as MP after the “whirlwind” of election night.

After an impressive turnout of 74 per cent and 19,924 votes, Conservative Mr Hall, 28, won the majority on May 7 and became the Member of Parliament for the area.

Mr Hall, who lives in Westerleigh, said: “After the whirlwind of election night, the feeling of huge privilege and responsibility that you have been given absolute. I feel this even more acutely as this constituency is my home, I was born in Southmead Hospital and have always lived and worked locally. I use the same bus services, hospitals and schools as everybody from our area and I hope this will help me to serve our community.

“Arriving on Monday morning at the House of Commons really made me understand the honour I had been entrusted with – representing our communities in Westminster. The first few days were taken up with an induction period – learning, among other things, the procedures of the House of Commons, where to sit, where we could and could not go, how to vote, how to address other MPs in the chamber and swearing in.

“Between the induction periods I have been hiring staff and starting to set up a drop-in constituency office in the local area which people can visit without having to make an appointment, which I hope will be open within a few weeks. I have held my first constituency surgery, met the leader of South Gloucestershire Council to discuss the bin tax and met with the Yate and Sodbury Marie Curie Fundraising Group to support their local efforts.

“I have found my first days to be fast paced, busy and rewarding, but above anything else, I want to serve my community – South Gloucestershire is my home. If there is ever anything I can help with, please do not hesitate to get in touch.”

You can contact Mr Hall on luke.hall.mp@parliament.uk.