One year in the job, much achieved... but still more to do
This week Derbyshire Dales MP SARAH DINES looks back on what has been an extraordinary first year in her parliamentary journey
DECEMBER 12 , 2020 marked the oneyear anniversary of the 2019 general election and the following day marked one full year since I was officially elected by the people of the Dales.
I think back to December 12 last year – it was polling day and I was out knocking on as many doors as possible, having as many conversations with undecided voters as possible and trying to hide my nerves to as many people as possible.
When the clock struck 10 and the polls officially closed, I went back to my home, rested my leg which I had badly hurt during the campaign and waited an hour before heading to the count.
The rest of the night into the early morning of the 13th was a bit of a blur, but I do remember feeling an overwhelming sense of pride when the result was announced and of course my thoughts went to all that I wanted to achieve in my first year in parliament.
My first week in parliament was on crutches due to the aforementioned leg injury, but I vividly remember walking into Parliament for the first time and thinking to myself, ‘Wow, this is where I work.’
Not many people have the opportunity to be a Member of Parliament and I thought back to myself as a young girl when people asked what I would like to do as I got older.
Becoming a Member of Parliament was always the answer and I couldn’t quite believe I had done it.
This year is not the year I could have imagined, I don’t think anyone could have.
There have been so many challenges and difficulties along the way, but I also think there has been progress and there are many things I am proud to have achieved.
I am a supporter of Brexit, I voted to leave in the referendum, and I want to see Brexit done.
I was incredibly honoured that my first vote in parliament was on getting the Brexit withdrawal approved.
I have sat on the Agriculture Bill Committee which is incredibly important to the people of Derbyshire Dales and to myself as I am from a farming background, the Overseas Operations Bill to protect our veterans and the Counter-terrorism Sentencing Bill.
I sit on the Justice Select Committee, I spoke on The Domestic Abuse Bill, I have voted on countless Covid-19 votes and on one of the biggest spending reviews in our history.
I have the privilege of being the Parliamentary Private Secretary for The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which is fascinating and a true honour.
I have made it my business to visit as many businesses in Derbyshire Dales as possible and to help where I can. I have received a lot of emails, phone calls and mail.
This year I have received more than 17,000 emails and over 13,000 cases. I have done my best to answer every email and every case.
I have had countless face to face and virtual meetings with ministers, the Chancellor and the Prime Minister to try to put the issues of Derbyshire Dales to the top of the agenda.
I have lobbied ministers to support our heritage sites, our wedding venues and our hospitality industry.
I have written countless letters to ministers on behalf of constituents and probably have annoyed some colleagues along the way by mentioning the need for the Ashbourne Bypass at any and all opportunities I have.
I am working on making sure every village in Derbyshire Dales has access to good broadband services.
I ran a successful campaign to have Hathersage Swimming Pool reopened after the first lockdown.
I have helped secure funding for food banks, our heritage sites and tourist attractions.
I have made sure that residents who are unable to visit their loved ones in care homes during the pandemic, now can.
One of my favourite moments this year was receiving a card from a constituent who, due to the pandemic, hadn’t seen her sick husband of more than 50 years who was in a care home.
She wrote me a card to thank me. After a lot of phone calls, letters to and meetings with ministers, she was able to be with her husband safely on his birthday.
There are some parts of being an MP which aren’t the most enjoyable, the online abuse being one example. But I truly believe this is one of the best jobs in the world.
My aim has always been to help, to represent Derbyshire Dales and to make a difference.
This year wasn’t what I expected, but it was the situation we found ourselves in.
Let us hope and pray that next year will be an easier one for us all.