Every time I start my column I seem to commence by saying what an odd or crazy week it has been. So here goes. What a rather crazy week I've had since receiving a very unexpected phone call last weekend from Downing Street asking if I was willing to serve as a Minister in Theresa May's new government.
As I said on Facebook, I did think this was perhaps a wind up by the Chief Whip so my initial response is not printable! It is not unusual during reshuffle time for more pushy and expectant colleagues to receive spoof phone calls pretending to be from the Number 10 switchboard.
Anyway, this did turn out to be a real offer to serve as the Minister for Local Growth and the Northern Powerhouse. In essence this means I am responsible for things like the Local Growth Fund, devolving power from Westminster to the regions and also for coastal communities and our high streets. In terms of the Northern Powerhouse, this is the project that seeks to bring together various strands of government policy to economically advance the North and close the gap with the South.
In short, I am kind of the Minister for the North which is probably one of the few roles in government I would be interested in. I have always advocated strongly for our area and for the North and now I get to do that within government.
It was very weird turning up at the Department for the first time on Monday morning. I was met at the door and then led to my new office whereupon every comment or question from then on involved the word 'Minister'. Every time people said 'Yes Minister' I'd let out a little chuckle! Anyway, I'm trying to go by Andrew now in the Department!
As a new Ministerial team in the Department for Communities and Local Government, we were kind of dropped in the deep end Monday afternoon as it was our department's question time in the chamber. Each day sees a different government department answer questions. I found it very odd sitting on the front row and having to speak from the despatch box. As a backbencher I used to sit right in the top corner where I could see the whole chamber from. From the front bench, the chamber seemed different and it will take me some time to get used to it.
To nice cheers I answered my first question as a Minister but started by saying 'I share the House's surprise'. This got a chuckle and I meant of course that I share the surprise that I was answering as a Minister. I've always made clear I wasn't going to chase a Ministerial role and nor was I desperate to be one. The circumstances of the last few weeks have changed a lot so I decided to give this role a go. I'll give it my best shot at least.
My main job and priority of course remains being the MP for Brigg and Goole and the Isle of Axholme. I'll continue to work hard locally on the issues I have been doing so far and will remain committed to our area first. With that in mind I visited Garthorpe last Friday to celebrate the superfast broadband roll-out in the village. I'll be continuing to fight to get more communities included in this government-funded roll-out.
I’m pleased to have a little time off for summer now as it gives me time to read the mass of paperwork this Ministerial role seems to include!
Photo - Andrew and Cllr Julie Reed with the cabinet covering Garthorpe and Fockerby
