Ian Sollom has reflected on his first month as the MP for the new constituency, St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire.

Mr Sollom stood as the Liberal Democrat candidate in the General Election, which saw him receive 19,517 votes on July 4.

He secured a majority of 4,648 over Conservative candidate, Anthony Browne, who held the South Cambridgeshire seat up until July 2024.

In the space of the last few weeks, Mr Sollom has gone from campaigning across his constituency to representing his constituents in Westminster, which he said gives him "great pride and privilege".

In an interview with The Hunts Post, Mr Sollom said: "It's been a total whirlwind. 

"The first few days in parliament felt a little bit unreal, it feels like you're on a school trip, but when the House is full you realise, 'I'm actually here', and it's a proud moment."

He said that in Westminster there has been a "positive vibe" across all of the parties but there has been moments of "chaos" too.

Mr Sollom says he has a good routine in place - especially with his family.

He said: "My son is 12 and he was in the last couple of weeks of term time during the campaign so we never got the opportunity to build into a family routine.

"Heading into September and October, the regular routine of Monday afternoon to Thursday morning in Westminster, and Thursday evening to Monday morning in the constituency will be the pattern we adopt."

Life as an MP is hectic and Mr Sollom said that it feels like "you're always running to keep up", but he is hoping that his son will keep him "sane" throughout everything.

As his son prepares to go back to school, the MP anticipates that schooling in the constituency is an issue that will be raised again soon.

In his first week as an MP, staff went on strike at Longsands Academy in St Neots. The strike was over a culmination of concerns raised by parents, students and staff at the Astrea-ran school.

Mr Sollom said "I’ll continue to meet with the leaders of the school. There’s various things that are progressing with that to make sure we hold the school and Ofsted to account.

"There was strong feeling of surprise, at the Ofsted result at Longsands and in the coming months we’re expecting an inspection at Ernulf, and we want to make sure Ofsted doesn’t completely lose credibility in the town."

The MP also said that health and social care is one of the other priorities for his constituents.

When asked what he would like to have accomplished by Christmas, he said: "My ambition in terms of what we achieve between now and Christmas at least is around advancing campaign issues that I was pushing in the General Election campaign.

"Your power is limited as an opposition back bencher, but it’s about the progress you can make with local services."

Reflecting on his legacy as the first ever MP for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire, Mr Sollom said: "I want to be that advocate for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire that a lot of people don’t feel like they have.

"It may only feel symbolic, but it’s a big deal that when I stand up I represent the constituency.

"I want to be an enabler. I want to give people a sense of ownership through creative pursuits and regeneration.

"There’s a sense of St Neots being on the launchpad, and now is a good time to start my legacy."