WEEKLY COLUMN by Stroud MP Dr Simon Opher

Simply being an MP in Parliament could be a full-time job in its own right, but that isn’t half the job.

The casework load is monumental, and while I have a brilliant and pro-active team working in Stroud, I spend a lot of time talking to and supporting them, and learning about the issues affecting people across the constituency.

A big part of this work is simply listening to people who have not been heard, but there are any number of intractable problems that people need practical help with.

Over and above this, there is also the job of understanding the dynamics of the constituency, how it all works - the issues that are coming over the horizon and how they affect us all.

And following on from that, I am learning how I, as an MP, I can use my position or whatever resources I have, to help.

Over the past week, I have spoken at meetings about the Climate and Nature Bill, the future of palliative care, and met with the amazing team at Stroud Foodbank

. I have also taken part in meetings on imagining the future of the NHS (and the challenges and opportunities represented by refocusing on prevention rather than just cure), met people from Sustrans, Greenpeace and the NFU, and visited Stroud College, the community hub at GL11 in Dursley, and discussed the new town plan for Berkeley.

It is no surprise that across our community, there are many groups and organisations who do amazing work and have great plans for the future.

Through all of this, I am learning how best to make a difference. My aim is to be an MP who supports our various local communities, representing and championing them.

I also have my own experiences and expertise to bring to the table, and I want to make sure that those are not wasted or set aside.

I am one of only two GPs in Parliament.

I am the first to admit that I am on a steep learning curve, and there will be good days and bad days, but ours is a special place to live and work.

Together, we can make it truly exceptional.