Paul Scully has welcomed the relief of securing electoral victory after the ‘long slog’ of grappling the contested Sutton and Cheam seat.
The Conservative MP made history by clinching the post with a difference of 3,921 votes after 18years of Liberal Democrat Paul Burstow.
He told SWL yesterday that he felt honoured, very excited and yet relieved to win.
“I worked 15hours a day for two to three years, seven days a week, a bit less at weekends. It was a way of life. Now there’s a semblance of balance,” he said.
“I have just one thing [job]. There’s nothing worse than being at work thinking about politics, and campaigning when I’m thinking about work. In some ways, it’s easier.”
Mr Scully also feels relief from the pressure to succeed to satisfy his supporters.
He said: “I have people coming up to me to say congratulations. It’s guaranteed there’s an amount of pressure from that, meeting everyone’s expectations − local residents and people working with me.
“A lot of people were really backing me, hoping that I’d win. I didn’t want to let anyone down.
“I want to make sure I’m part of a team that works well together, to make sure we continue the economic recovery and make sure the country can live within its means.”
In his first weeks in Parliament, Mr Scully wants to firm up the St Helier Hospital position.
“I really want to get verbal commitment from the Secretary of State for health,” he said.
“I want to see him say it. I want to get the story for the next five years for the hospital. I will also work on some smaller issues like a new home for Sutton Common Rovers.”
Mr Scully feels having run his own business will bring added experience to his constituents and small businesses.
He said: “I’ve had three people working for me. When you’re responsible for other people’s livelihoods, in the good times and the hard times, it gives huge insight into small businesses and the issues that matter to them and their staff.”
