My first three months as Ludlow's Conservative MP have proved a baptism of fire, with a leadership election which will not be resolved until mid-November.

But people are more concerned about issues closer to home - such as the right response to the wave of appalling terror attacks on London, the state of our economy and pensions, and tackling poverty in Africa.

I campaigned on the slogan - a stronger voice for Ludlow - and that is my watchword as I learn the ropes at Westminster. I have spoken in the Commons on issues that matter to people back home - issues like Council Tax, threats to hill farmers and Village Halls.

I do not see my job as opposing the Labour government for opposition's sake. When Tony Blair gets something right, I believe we Conservatives should say so. But when he gets it wrong, we should speak out strongly.

Blair has hit the right note over the London bombings and we have supported the new measures he is proposing to crack down on militants who seek to justify suicide bombings. But I remain convinced that the Government's failure to take a firm grip on immigration undermines the wider war on terror and makes Britain more vulnerable to attack.

Pensions are a key concern for me, where Gordon Brown has effectively removed the incentive to save for retirement. So I am looking forward to the Work & Pensions Select Committee, where first we review Incapacity Benefit and the Pathway to Work programme.

But for now I am delighted to spend dedicated time in the Ludlow constituency. Having held surgeries in each of the major towns I will be visiting villages through an active programme of mobile surgeries over the next two months. I hope to see many of you on my travels.

 

Philip Dunne MP