East Northamptonshire MP Tom Pursglove discusses life as Government minister and his rise in politics
An MP is determined to continue to improve the lives of his constituents as he sets out plans to improve healthcare and prevent over-development.
Tom Pursglove MP (Con) has represented East Northamptonshire in parliament since his election in 2015, but has a long history of community service in the area.
Having grown up in Northamptonshire, he gained a degree from Queen Mary University of London before going on to work as a parliamentary assistant to MP Chris Heaton-Harris.
For Tom it was always his ambition to progress in politics.
He said: “I was among the lucky people who knew what I wanted to do.
“My first real current affairs memory was Tony Blair winning the 1997 election.
“My family are involved in the community so I wanted a job that is community-focused.
“I’ve always been interested in what’s going on nationally and locally and I’m interested to know what people think on issues.
“To me being able to help people, and resolve a problem for them is a massive thing.”
He began to climb the political ladder at the age of 18 - the youngest age a person can stand in an election - and gained a seat on his local council.
However, taking on a role at a council which was primarily dominated by an older generation didn’t come without its challenges, despite there being a ‘clamour’ for younger people to get into politics.
“Reflecting back, you just have to work five times as hard as everyone else,” said the MP.
“It shouldn’t be like that but it is changing fast.”
He added: “Someone could have a 20 year career in medicine or public services but everyone brings something different.
“What’s more important is being able to empathise, and chat and listen. At the end of the day nobody knows everything about everything, it’s all about listening and taking advice to work hard on these issues.”
In the 2015 general election he won the Corby and East Northamptonshire seat from former Labour MP Andrew Sawford.
While Tom believes his work on the council helped prepare him for the job, becoming an MP was still a significant transition.
“It’s a big thing to put yourself forward into the public eye,” said Tom. “Now it’s possibly worse.
“Social media has a massive upside but also a massive downside. There’s a lot of unpleasantness from people who don’t know you, I think it’s tough.
“It can be quite overwhelming but I have thick skin and have support from my family, friends and colleagues.”
For Tom one of the most ‘frustrating’ parts of the job is seeing a problem but being unable to fix it due to not having the power.
An MP’s role is to represent their constituents’ interests and concerns in the House of Commons as well as consider and propose new laws.
“I have a manor of issues where I know what needs to be done but actually that’s not our decision to take,” said Tom, now 33-years-old.
“Predominantly members of parliament help with constituency cases and campaign on local issues.”
For Tom, he puts party politics aside in his work and instead says he strives for the best outcomes for constituents, no matter who he has to work with to get there.
He believes ‘arguing achieves nothing’, and that videos of Westminster on social media cast a negative light when in reality the majority of MPs enjoy working together.
He said: “People in politics should perhaps be a little bit kinder. Some have perhaps lost their ability slightly to be able to agree to disagree.
“I always try to be respectful and would ask others to extend that courtesy.”
After being elected, Tom went on to serve as in parliamentary private secretary for a number of ministers before being appointed as vice chairman of the Conservative Party for Youth.
Following the election of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister in July 2019, he was appointed an assistant government whip, a role he had for two years before being promoted to parliamentary under secretary of state at both the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice in the September 2021 reshuffle.
“They are long days, there’s always a lot to be done and there’s never much free time,” said Tom.
“A lot of time was spent in my office when I was in the back benches.
“Now, I’m an active minister as well as my constituency work.”
“One thing I enjoy is knocking on doors and talking to people. I don’t assume I actually know, I find out and have fascinating conversations."
He added: “I enjoy being in the House.
"I have made a lot of effort to spend a lot of time in there when I was first elected. I didn’t see the point in getting elected if I didn’t show up and take part in the massive chance to make an argument on behalf of constituents on any given day. It’s a massive privilege and I’m grateful. "
However, it’s not all work for the young MP who has still managed to keep his hobbies throughout the post.
In his free time he enjoys exercising, spending time with friends and family and exploring the wonders his constituency has to offer. His favourites are eating at the Willow and Brook in Apethorpe, exploring Lyveden New Bield and walking in Fineshade and Wakerley woods.
“I’m someone who never complains about hard work,” said Tom.
“The day I start complaining is the day I shouldn’t be doing it any longer.
“Public services is challenging from time to time but it’s great satisfaction and hugely rewarding to make a difference.”
Being from a policing family, Tom has been an advocate on greater support for the police - both in funding terms, and health and wellbeing support for officers.
He also has plans to pursue issues around health care providers in the area and prevent over development.
