In the early hours of Friday, July 5, Liberal Democrat Olly Glover was elected in a defining moment for Didcot and Wantage during the General Election count at Abingdon’s White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre. The new constituency MP triumphed over previous incumbent David Johnston by a solid majority of 6,233 votes, becoming one of the five Liberal Democrat MPs in the county.
### Glover in Westminster
During his first fortnight in office, Glover took the opportunity to familiarise himself with Westminster. He shared that his initial phase in the role involved crucial briefings and comprehensive training. He said, “Parliament has sought to learn from past scandals over expenses and poor behaviour. As a result, new MPs are taking thorough compulsory sessions on appropriate use of public money, behavioural conduct, and the workings of Parliament.”
Navigating the labyrinth-like parliamentary estate also proved a valuable learning experience. The vast complex, made up of several interconnected buildings modified over many years, posed a challenge but Glover was able to confidently find his way, albeit admitting that his routes might not be the quickest yet.
### Glover Sworn in Amidst Tradition
Within his initial days in Westminster, Glover was officially sworn into Parliament. He found himself deeply moved by the noticeable blend of modernisations within the longstanding traditions upheld by the house.
One particularly striking element for Glover during the oath-taking was the diversity of choices available to MPs. He remarked, “All kinds of religious texts are available. MPs can swear or affirm their allegiance to the King in English, Cornish, Gaelic, and other languages of the British Isles. This recognition of the diversity of the membership of our modern Parliament is very much to be welcomed.”
### The Man Behind the Vote
Glover’s approachable and personable demeanour contributed to his appeal among voters, as he frequently shared his views on local issues alongside light-hearted insights into his personal preferences, such as his love for salt and vinegar crisps and his admiration for Kylie Minogue. He fondly recollected attending her concert at Earls Court in 2005.
However, Glover has also made a strong start tackling serious local matters. Recently, he criticised Thames Water for their “environmental vandalism.” Rather than fully nationalising water companies—a move he argued could severely strain public finances—he proposed converting them into public benefit companies. This model, he explained, would reconcile better environmental standards with profitability, aided by replacing Ofwat with a tougher regulator equipped to enforce these standards.
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