It is not just about volume of work for our new Mp

It was not my intention, but from the response in last week’s HT to my suggestion that our new MP needs more time to settle ruffled some staunch-Tory feathers. I by contrast am not party affiliated.

One can only speak as one finds and clearly the bases on which we have formed our relative opinions are rather different.

I have looked a little below the surface and at context, which makes it hard to take some of the “evidence” at face value.

What is beyond doubt is his enthusiasm and energy, particularly in comparison with his dormant predecessor. But it’s not just about volume is it?

Hinckley and Bosworth is a safe Tory seat, which undoubtedly places expectations on the incumbent from Tory HQ, so I suggest looking more closely at some of the more contentious issues that have arisen over the past months before forming an opinion.

The number of questions raised in the HoC is truly staggering.

However, many of the questions have the same format allowing the minister to respond with a vague statement of intent, rather than a firm commitment to delivery – all to do with avoiding accountability should the need arise subsequently.

A cynic might suggest that they have been carefully choreographed simply to allow the relevant minister to say something that will be recorded in Hansard for posterity.

For my own part, there are several straight forward local issues that cause me concern where he has not been open about his position.

This, rightly or wrongly, gives the impression that he is waiting to see which way the party wind blows, so any definitive assessment now is somewhat premature.

His predecessor was quite probably more enthusiastic and keen to make an impression in his early days too and we all know how that turned out, so excuse my caution.