News / Bristol
Brexit is top priority for Bristol’s newest MP
Darren Jones’ shock win in Bristol North West was one of the biggest election night surprises – not least to the victor himself.
Jones sensationally ousted Conservative Charlotte Leslie from power with a majority of almost 5,000, and Bristol’s newest MP is not wasting any time at cracking on with his new job.
Taking a few minutes out of his hectic schedule, the vegan jazz saxophonist talks about Brexit, babies and placing the blame for impending council cuts firmly at the door of the Conservative Government, as he offers a glimpse inside his first week in Westminster.
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“It’s been a bit chaotic,” says Jones, full of apologies for any delay in replying to interview requests as he admits he has been inundated with messages since his win.
“I came in on Sunday, the day before everybody else to avoid the queues and I’m pleased I did because I saw that Airbus had reported that they would leave the UK if they don’t get certain trade concessions.
“There are hundreds of workers who live in my constituency who could be affected and all the logistics go through my patch to it’s a major issue for me even though it’s not based in my constituency.”
Darren Jones listens intently to speaker John Bercow on his first day in the House of Commons
After this running start, it has been a blur of meetings and briefings for the 30-year-old who had fully expected to be returning to his position as a lawyer for BT, before defying all expectations and winning the marginal constituency.
Bristol North West had been known as a bellwether seat, reliably held by the winning party since 1974, until now.
“My number one priority has to be Brexit because it’s a fast-moving position but it will have a significant impact on the lives of my constituents,” Jones told Bristol24/7.
“I’m pretty convinced that my majority is a pro-EU majority. Whilst I appreciate that not everybody voted to remain, I was elected under a remain mandate so I feel my number one obligation is to mitigate the potential damage that a hard Brexit could have on my constituency.”
Another key concern is the cuts announced by his friend, mayor Marvin Rees, that could see the city lose more than half of its libraries.
Jones places the blame for the drastic proposals firmly at the door of the Tories, as he vows to do everything he can to protect public services in Bristol.
“The council is left between a rock and a hard place,” he argues. “The Tories have cut budgets here in Westminster but outsourced responsibility to local councils.
“I will be tabling a question about the funding of our libraries because I have a particular interest in libraries. I do not think they are just about books, but can become digital community centres.”
He also expressed hope that further cuts to school budgets will not go ahead with the Government in “chaos” and Tory MPs left fighting to keep marginal seats.
Jones joined thousands who marched through the streets of Bristol in May to protest against cuts to school budgets
Bristol’s newest MP admits that shock and confusion were his first reactions when the General Election results were announced in the early hours of Friday morning.
“The irony is that I was the candidate last time and campaigned very hard, but we lost out,” added Jones.
His wife, Lucy, is expecting their first child in January – a fact that Jones said they had not meant to be public knowledge, but the news leaked out on General Election night.
So, how will the surprise MP adjust to juggling his new parliamentary position with family life?
“Lucy knows that I always wanted to be an MP but we didn’t think it would happen so soon. We are having to adjust to dealing with the logistics.”
Getting back to the task in hand, he added: “The challenge that I have is I know a lot of those votes are borrowed and I know people are expecting me to deliver. So in the context of what is fragile support for me and with the prospect of another election, I’m not taking anything for granted.
“I have a huge job to do and that’s why I’m wasting no time and just getting on with the job.”
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