Member

I stand today in the mother of Parliaments, but it is a sad indictment of our democracy that most people in our country are dissatisfied with the mainstream parties and their policies, politics and behaviours. Many feel trampled on, ignored, powerless and disenfranchised, and I am repeatedly told that politicians are all the same and just in it for themselves. People have lost hope and trust in politics and politicians, and it is our duty in this House to restore their faith by putting the interests of the people who elected us above ourselves, our careers, party donors, corporations and malign influences. After 15 weeks as an MP, it is unclear to me how the Whip system is democratic or in what way expensive gifts can help MPs better represent their constituents. I hope to support the Modernisation and Standards Committees and to work in this place to help restore the trust of the people we represent.