The Mace guide to being a novice MP

Brooks Newmark | Comment, Magazine

From the Archive

overlay

Still finding your way around the Palace? Not sure where to sit in the Chamber? Former minister Brooks Newmark is here to assist

We’re sure many of you are finding it surreal having the letters ‘MP’ after your name. When I was elected in 2005, at the third time of trying, I couldn’t believe it. When the returning officer announced me as the winner, I hadn’t dared to write a speech for fear of jinxing the result. There are several challenges you will face as a new MP. The first is handling the media. Immediately, you are a ‘public person’ but your priority is always your local media: they are the direct voice to your constituents. Get to know everyone’s name and offer the local editor to write a weekly or monthly column. The national media are different. They’re not always your friend (trust me on this). Their stories can be unhelpful to both you and the party (that might be the former whip in me speaking). On social media, everyone suddenly thinks that they can abuse you. It may be tempting to reply to obnoxious comments: resist the temptation. These online battles are psychologically debilitating and give oxyge...

Subscribe to The Mace

Join the member community shaping British politics and stay ahead of what's really happening in the world of politics and public affairs, with expert analysis, breaking news, and insider insights from Westminster and Brussels. The Mace is the leading news source and resource for the government affairs industry, offering required reading and lobby intelligence for professionals.

To see what you are missing out on by not subscribing to The Mace, click here to download our full membership info-pack. This includes having no paywall on op-ed content or profiles/interviews, allowing professional profiles to be read with maximum impact and visibility by government, special advisers, MPs, peers, civil servants, and policy and political decision-makers.



Defence spending controversy aside, the UK cannot turn up to NATO empty-handed 

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | June 25, 2026

Labour psychodrama is simply not as important as the UK’s diplomatic commitment to its NATO allies.

The UK’s unwritten constitution: There are no real rules

Mark Leftly | June 23, 2026

The timing and in what circumstances a leader should stay or go are in flux, argues Mark Leftly.

Britain is drifting towards Italian-style instability — it is time to learn from America 

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | June 23, 2026

Love or hate the current American administration, at least they have a consistent electoral cycle where the choice of the electorate is upheld.  

Burnham’s popularity bubble is doomed to pop  

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | June 23, 2026

Andy Burnham wants an immediate coronation, but life in Westminster would quickly expose the limits of popular appeal built from a safe distance. 

Hail Andy, King of Makerfield 

William Cash | June 19, 2026

As vultures circle Downing Street, now that Burnham is back as an MP, Starmer must realise that resigning is going to be better for the Labour Party than

Musical chairs again in Downing Street

Lucy Carrier-Pilkington | June 18, 2026

What will a Burnham government look like ? Lucy Carrier-Pilkington analyses what a change of prime minister will mean for the country and who will be the likely

Reform v Restore: the English civil war in Makerfield that will decide the next Labour prime minister

William Cash | June 15, 2026

With Restore and Reform tearing votes off each other, the Makerfield by-election could propel Andy Burnham into Number 10. But, asks William Cash, will Restore's percentage of the

Memo to the new Defence Secretary before the NATO summit: “It’s not all about the money”

Mace | June 12, 2026

Creating a Defence Industrial base with no new money is going to be a challenge for any Defence Secretary. But, argues defence expert William Wallace, there are several

When it comes to English police reform, do not repeat the mistakes made north of the border

Mace | June 5, 2026

The dismal results of reducing the police force in Scotland should act as a cautionary deterrent for English police reform, writes Sharon Dowey, a former member of the

Checkmate DC’s bold London move

William Cash | June 5, 2026

Tristan Breijer is the new London head of Checkmate Government Relations. The move into London gives the US lobby firm its first European base, bringing its global power-broking