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The Acid Test

September 2 2009

Parliament's summer recess is ridiculously long. Every year I chunter about how it sets a rotten example for MPs to disappear for what looks like an eleven week holiday each summer.

But even though I disagree with it, I still have to use the time productively. Usually I take a fortnight's holiday with my family, and spend the rest of the time visiting local businesses, charities and voluntary organisations, or knocking on doors to find out how you're all feeling. Taken together with the letters and casework you send me each week, it's a great way to make sure I'm representing local views and feelings properly.

So that's what I've been doing ever since Parliament shut up shop at the end of July. But this year, there's a twist. Now I'm working for Ken Clarke as the Party's Business spokesman, I'm working on a new policy to get rid of red tape. Politically, the problem isn't convincing people that we need to do it – everybody hates red tape – but rather finding ways to stop the quangos, bureaucrats and politicians who relentlessly add new laws to the ever-growing pile. The machinery of Government sees its job as creating rules, and we've got to switch it to cutting them. It's going to be like turning around a supertanker that's been going in the same direction for decades.

So I've spent the last month thinking hard, reading everything I can lay my hands on, consulting with wise old hands – Ken is amazingly experienced and helpful – and writing furiously. The draft policy is ready, and now it has to face the acid test. It has to be discussed and agreed by the Party's Policy Board, which includes some of our heaviest hitters: William Hague, Oliver Letwin and David Cameron himself. I'll let you know how I get on!