A week in the life of your MP

Over the past few months it has struck me that it is difficult to explain to people the work that an MP actually does. There is not a lot of information about how an MP spends his or her time, but it is important that the people of Mid Norfolk know what I am doing on their behalf, so I've put together an outline of what my week usually looks like.

Monday

• Morning in the Norfolk office, sorting correspondence, checking the diary and setting priorities for the week.
• Travel to Westminster to arrive parliament midday
• Afternoon: meeting with my secretary, meetings and telephone calls
• 4pm meeting of the Select Committee for Department of Communities and Local Government
• 10pm last vote
• Evening reception

 
Tuesday

• 6.00-8am work on papers
• 9 - 11 correspondence
• Afternoons - mix of meetings / calls / reading / speaking in debates
• 2.30 - 10.30 duties in the chamber
• Evening - reception, correspondence and research
• Vote usually 7pm - 10.00pm
• Eat late in the house
• Home 11.00pm if late vote

 
Wednesday

• 6.00-8am work on papers
• 9 - 11 correspondence
• 11.30 - 1.00 duties in the chamber
• Afternoons - mix of meetings / calls / reading / speaking in debates
• Evening - reception, correspondence and research
• Vote usually 7pm
• Home usually by 10pm

 
Thursday

• 6.00-8am work on papers
• 9 - 11 correspondence / meetings
• 11.30 - 1.00 duties in the chamber
• Afternoons - mix of meetings / calls / reading / speaking in debates
• Evening - correspondence and research
• Vote usually 7pm
• Travel back to Norfolk, home c 10.00

 
Friday

• 6.00 - 8.00am papers
• Morning - correspondence, calls,
• Afternoon : constituency visits and/or surgery
• Evening: normally a function of some sort

 
Saturday

• 6.00 - 8.00am papers
• Morning or afternoon: usually one or other constituency visits
• Evening: sometimes a constituency function / sometimes at home

 
Sunday

• I try to keep as the day for the family, apart from special constituency engagements (such as Remembrance Day).

 
Sunday evening

• Precious time with the family. Early family supper, bedtime and an evening with Eleanor (usually planning the next week!)