NOW THAT the honeymoon period for the general election is well and truly over, I get the sense the public would like to get involved with their new MP, Alastair Scott, in the traditional manner - face to face, chatting about what's wrong with the electorate and what your elected
Wairarapa deserves a highly visible MP
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Wairarapa MP Alistair Scott.
But, since Wairarapa voters are traditional, I suspect the public would like the reassurance of an MP who is around and happy to field queries. My understanding is Mr Scott fields phone calls and, for efficiency, books rooms at the various community centres across the electorate for a common time when he can meet people.
I would hope Mr Scott, or the National Party, works towards getting an office here in Masterton, with the big blue-fronted windows. He is, without question, our man in Parliament. The voters have resoundingly said so. But it doesn't take long for murmurs of "absentee MP" to creep in. I applaud his efforts to circulate his electorate using the centres. As the year progresses, we hope his visibility will extend to functions and ceremonies - all part of the job for an elected MP.