WEEKLY column by Stroud MP Dr Simon Opher 

Wow. They say a week is a long time in politics, and that's never been truer than last week.

Day One saw the scrapping of the Rwanda plan. Day Three the ending of the ban on onshore wind turbines, and Day Six brought the cessation of new oil and gas exploration licences in the North Sea.

Ministers are sending a really clear signal that things are going to be very different under this Government. A Government that moves fast, means business, and gets things done. It's been a very good week.

I spent my first week in Parliament and was officially sworn in as an MP - something all MPs have to do - stating your loyalty and allegiance to the Crown. I took my turn between Clive Lewis and the new MPs from Reform. A slightly surreal experience, but also a real honour. If you're interested, perhaps having trouble sleeping, you can watch my ‘swearing in’ on Parliament TV.

Thank you to everyone who has emailed with good wishes and congratulations - I really appreciate it.

I’m holding myself to a high standard of getting back to people quickly if they email with a query or a request for help.

I don’t think people email their MP frivolously - if they’re asking their MP for help, it’s usually because it’s important.

I’m busy getting a team in place to make sure we can stick to this.

For all I enjoyed my first week in Parliament, it was really good to come home on Friday. I love this place, my home for the last 30 years, and I missed it.

So it was a special treat to be immersed in some of the best Stroud has to offer at the Stroud Country Show at Stratford Park on Saturday. It was a real treat and a rare chance to display my rather rusty flute playing with the Stroud Red Band.

Thankfully too loud for anyone to hear my individual playing. Good fun though and very grounding after a week walking the corridors of power.