My name is Brian Binley and I am the Conservative MP for Northampton South. I
would like to keep you up to date with life and events in and around Westminster
on a regular basis – insights, opinions and anecdotes from the Mother of all
Parliaments.

With the conference season now well and truly over, it's back to work we MPs
must go. Having said that, I can categorically assure you I have most certainly not
been putting my feet up since the Parliamentary recess began in July.

Some of you may know I had the honour to go and speak in New York last month,
on behalf of the Iranian opposition in exile, and I also went to Israel as part of an
all-Party visit. There have also been a number of local issues to keep me busy,
and my postbag is always full. Long may that continue.

Parliament is where I’m based for much of the working week, but believe me -
and MPs of all Parties will back me up on this - that's only the half of it. But I am
not complaining. I am proud to be a Parliamentary representative for
Northampton South, and I really am looking forward to returning to Westminster
for what promises to be an exciting term leading up to Christmas.

For a start, I am confident I can start moving around without getting lost. It's a
big place and for newcomers, like I was in May, it takes some time to establish
your bearings! But for us Conservatives, there is the sideshow in the run up to
Christmas of selecting our next leader, the person who will be leading our Party
up to the next General Election, and hopefully lead us back to Government.
And that is why our conference in Blackpool was such a success. All five
declared candidates: Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Kenneth Clarke, Liam Fox, David
Cameron and David Davies, had the perfect platform to convince not just Tory
MPs, but also members of the Party, why THEY should be our chosen one. It made
for a fascinating week, and I honestly believe the Party is all the better for it.
However, there is still plenty to play for - although this time I am in the position to
cast my vote before the final decision goes to our members nationwide. I know
what you are all going to ask me - and the honest answer is that I haven't yet
decided. But I will let you know when I do!

So it just leaves me to remind you that I am YOUR representative in Parliament,
and if you live in my constituency and have a problem, do not hesitate to contact
me - 01604 250252 is the office number in Northampton.