IT has been a whirlwind eight weeks for new South Ribble MP David Borrow.

The former Preston Council leader was drafted in to replace Labour candidate Dennis Golden who died shortly before the election.

Within two months, 44-year-old Borrow was queuing in the Commons to be officially sworn in by the Speaker and sort out a pass to get around the miles of corridors that is the Palace of Westminster. David barely had time to celebrate his 5,000 majority over long-standing Conservative rival Robert Atkins. His sister gave him champagne which he supped at 6am after the results were announced.

He said: "My mum is quietly proud. She nags when something goes wrong but doesn't say much when everything's going well."

David is pleased more women than ever gained seats in the House. He said: "It's a real gentleman's club, but with 101 women MPs and plenty of young faces, Parliament should change for the better."

MPs are now putting their names forward for various committees, and David's interests are economic development, local government finance and the setting up of Scottish and Welsh assemblies.

Closer to home, however, David is seeking to open an office in Leyland and appoint staff to help deal with people's individual problems. He is planning regular surgeries throughout the constituency.

He said: "Because of boundary changes, the constituency covers rural areas up to Hesketh Bank, Southport and Tarleton. Concerns here are very different from the town."

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