There are so many virtues with “our way” of “doing” democracy. In the exact reverse of the US system, in the UK to be in Government you have to be in the “legislature”. This is usually the House of Commons and means that unlike other countries those responsible for Government decisions are not only held to account in person on the “floor of the House” but are predominately MPs who engage daily with those who send them to Parliament.
This literally enables weekend doorstep conversations from across the UK to be relayed direct into the heart of a cabinet meeting on Tuesday: its been an honour to serve in Government and be able to do exactly that around the cabinet table.
I have loved serving as Defence Minister, Policing Minister and as Minister for the Cabinet Office. In Defence and the Cabinet Office I have pushed through changes that I hope will improve outcomes for the country as a whole. I have no doubt the experience has made me a better MP. As a serving Minister you have brilliant access to Ministerial colleagues, as a former Minister you know how to make change happen: either way it works for constituents.
I fully support the Prime Minister and was grateful for the opportunity to continue as a Minister. However a Ministerial and constituency role have to be complimentary. Horsham always comes first. When I felt that the post I was being asked to take on may ultimately conflict with my ability to do what I need to do to support my constituents I had no doubt that the right course was to step away from Government.
It is a privilege to serve as a Minister but it is a much greater privilege to represent this constituency. As a constituency MP it is a tremendous honour to be part of a community one serves. From iRock Horsham, to local schools, to addressing our policing needs, to working to deliver the increased NHS facilities we need, it is an incredibly rewarding job to which I am pleased that I will be able to devote even more time.
