Whirlwind week for Debbie

They say a week is a long time in politics and Debbie Abrahams knows that better than most after the whirlwind seven days she has had.

This time last week she was waking up as the newly-elected MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth but today is preparing for her first constituency surgery, before meeting the Labour group on the council to talk about government cuts and appearing before the Constituency Labour Party (CLP).

Seven days on, Mrs Abrahams has an office, has been sworn in Parliament, has a security pass, and is looking for a flat to stay in during the Westminster week.

Labour’s newest MP has immersed herself in parliamentary language and protocol working out when she can and cannot speak, how to vote, how to get the best out of Parliament for her constituents and has started preparing her maiden speech.

As expected, the former public health adviser will make her debut during a debate on the Government’s controversial plans to restructure the NHS later this month.

Mrs Abrahams said: “The warmth of the reception has been amazing, Ed Miliband has been absolutely lovely and to be cheered when I was sworn in was really special.

“I was really nervous being sworn in but the support from other MPs has been great. I’ve got an office, and now the real work begins.

“My first surgery is today and I have another one tomorrow, I am meeting with the CLP tonight and the Labour group to discuss budget cuts and how this is going to impact on Oldham. There is lots to be doing, it has been a busy week.”

Scrapping the Educational Maintenance Allowance — which paid up to £30 a week for students from lower income families to stay in education — was the first debate Mrs Abrahams attended.

She said: “I could not speak as I had not made my maiden speech but this payment helps more than 4,300 young people in Oldham.

“This allowance made the difference between people being able to afford to stay on at school or not and really help low income families and it is an awful decision. We may have lost the vote but I will keep fighting these cuts.”

She was elected last week with a majority of 3,558 ahead of the Lib-Dem candidate Elwyn Watkins.