Letter from Westminster

I rarely discuss my role in the House of Commons through this column, but as it has just changed, it seemed as well to let you know.

When Parliament resumed in October my government whip responsibilities changed from Constitutional Affairs and Scotland to Education and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

On the day I had my first meeting with the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove MP, and his team, the department announced 79 new Free Schools and Technical Colleges were to be established from September 2012, including the first Free School in Shropshire, Barrow 1618 in the Ludlow constituency near Broseley. This was very welcome news for the parents and campaigners who had worked so hard for Barrow primary school after the local education authority had announced it should close.

I also had my first departmental meeting with the Foreign Secretary, William Hague MP, and his team in the imposing Foreign & Commonwealth Office building, built in an era when there was an empire to run.

In the first week the Foreign Secretary made a statement to update the House on developments in the Middle East and North Africa, where momentous events are unfolding, bringing the first steps towards democracy in several Arab countries.

A government whip has three roles in Parliament in addition to MP responsibilities looking after constituents' interests. The departmental role is to ensure the passage of legislation of the department through the Commons. This involves liaising with Opposition whips and parliamentary officials over the timetabling of Bills and then ensuring there are sufficient MPs available in the Chamber to speak in debates and to vote.

We also have an administrative role in organising the smooth running of the Chamber itself. There is always a whip on duty on the frontbench, on a regular rota, to help the Minister or the Speaker to ensure debates and question times work. We tend to take notes to look out for strong performances by MPs, on both sides of the Chamber, and also for possible areas for improvement.

The third role is to provide a link between individual MPs and the government. This has aspects of personnel management about it, but mainly provides an effective two-way communication channel. I have a group of Conservative colleagues, representing seats geographically clustered around Yorkshire, Hull and north Lincolnshire in my 'flock'.

We are part of the Government, so technically Ministers, but do not have policy responsibility within our departments, so do not speak in the Chamber. This can have its frustrations at times, but to compensate we have better access to government Ministers than other MPs, which can provide a more effective service for our constituents.

Of course my responsibilities as MP for the Ludlow constituency are not only the most important but often the most enjoyable aspect of being an MP. I try to make myself as available as possible across our large and beautiful constituency and welcome views on national and local issues either in person at my regular surgeries or in writing.