Councillor experiencing huge change as new MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood

New MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood Lorraine Beavers has said her experience of Parliament has been both “awesome” and “overwhelming”.

The Fleetwood-born Labour politician, who won the seat in the early hours of July 5, is an experienced councillor who has represented constituencies for more than two decades.

But that did not prepare her for the scale of the UK Parliament, with the sheer size, history and architectural splendour of the Palace of Westminster, the vast number of other MPs there and the national importance of everyday business there.

She said it brought home to her what it means to represent the people back home on the Fylde coast, in the heart of the nation’s actual government.

Mrs Beavers is in the unusual position of being a councillor at town council, borough and county council level – all three tiers of local government – as well as being an MP.

She has not yet made a decision on whether to step down from those roles, and will be able to maintain them if she chooses.

Mrs Beavers won the seat for Labour after finishing ahead of Conservative rival Paul Maynard, who had previoisly held it when it was Blackpool North and Cleveleys.

Her victory was part of a huge sweep for Labour which ushered in Keir Starmer’s new Government.

She said of the first days of being an MP: “It has been really overwhelming, in all honesty.

“It’s something I will just have to get used to, with all the practicalities, but it’s a fantastic honour to represent the town you grew up in, and all the areas in our constituency.

“It’s a completely different way of life.

“It means finding a place to rent in London, probably a bedsit, close to Parliament.

“At the moment I’m looking for a constituency office and I’ve got a place in mind in Cleveleys, which will be central to all the areas – north Blackpool, Bispham, Thornton, Carleton, Cleveleys and Fleetwood.

“You need to put security measures in place for the constituency office building, which is something I’ve never had to think about as a councillor.”

She said of her first day in Parliament: “It was overwhelming – the sheer beauty and the history of that building really hits you, and the fact that you’re right there, where the government is.

“I went for a walk and looked back at the Parliament building and it was really awesome to think that was my place of work.

“The important thing for me is that I can effectively be the voice for the people in Blackpool North and Fleetwood.

“It makes you realise how far your home is from the government, and what an opportunity it is to get our voices heard.

“I just hope that in five year time I can look back and say I have managed to make some kind of difference to the people in the constituency.

“If there are grants available for our area, I want us to get them. What this area really needs is decent jobs, because only when people get decent wages can then start investing in the economy and the whole thing goes round in a circle.

“I would love the chance to help make that happen – there is just so much work to be done.”

Mr Beavers has not yet been given her own office as says former MPs still have to officially vacate many of them.

She is yet to make her maiden speech in Parliament and expects that to happen after the summer recess.

The MP says she is pondering her roles on the various local councils and how best to represent local people.

She said: “There is so much to consider at the moment, I haven’t decided whether I will stand down.

“I would like to stay on at Lancashire County Council, because I feel a loyalty to the constituents and my fellow councillors and it would also avoid the cost of a by-election.

“Every time a by-election is contested, it costs local tax payers £8,000, which I don’t think is right.

“But at this moment I’m not sure what I will do, to be honest.

“I want to do the right thing by the constituents who have voted for me.”