Huntingdon MP hoping to 'keep pace' six months since election win
Ben Obese-Jecty took office as an MP for the first time last July
The MP for Huntingdon is telling us he's hoping to keep up with life as a politician after taking on the role for the first time.
Today marks six months since Labour won the general election, the same length of time that Conservative Ben Obese-Jecty has been a member of parliament.
Mr Obese-Jecty - a former army officer - stood for the Huntingdon seat in place of previous incumbent Jonathan Djanogly, who stepped down after more than 22 years in post.
"I do enjoy seeing some of the feedback I get online and not all of it is positive, but good to know there are people who appreciate what I've been doing over the last few months," Mr Obese-Jecty said.
"Hopefully I can manage to keep this pace up for the next four years."
Key role in Hinchingbrooke Hospital rebuild
Since taking office, Mr Obese-Jecty has been involved in tackling local issues, such as trying to work with local authorities to help those affected by flooding in Brampton and St Ives.
Last year, he received a written response from Labour MP Karen Smyth - a minister of state for secondary care - that Hinchingbrooke Hospital would be rebuilt as "a priority".
The reply came as in 2023, the hospital was identified as one of five with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) that would get a full rebuild within the New Hospital Programme.
"I think those opportunities to speak to Cabinet ministers and ask them directly what it is they're doing about local issues within the constituency (is key)," Mr Obese-Jecty said.
"I want to try and get my arms around flooding; the winter's going to be very difficult and potentially we're going to see more flooding events, so making sure people aren't impacted there is going to be key.
"They were able to confirm to me first out of all of the RAAC hospitals that Hinchingbrooke Hospital would be rebuilt, so I think things like that when you get to ask a direct question that gives a tangible response to something people are worried about is something I'm proud of."
'It's making sure I have my finger on the pulse'
Mr Obese-Jecty - one of only two Conservative MPs left standing in Cambridgeshire since the General Election last July - won by 1,499 votes ahead of nearest candidate, Labour's Alex Bulat.
But since his victory, he's pleased with representing people on a national stage and is aware of the task at hand.
"The only person who realistically gets to do that is me and it's on me to make sure when there is an issue that needs that level of attention, that it is brought up," he added.
"It's making sure I have my finger on the pulse of everything that's going on here.
"This is a constituency that is growing rapidly; there's a huge amount of development on track and I think making sure people are well-served by the changes that are coming and not impacted negatively by them will be a key part of my role going forward."