My apologies for a few days lapse in my blog, but my first taste of the rather weird ways of Westminster parliamentary life have kept me busier than I could ever have imagined.

I will continue the blog as an MP but my new workload means that I won't always be able to update as much as I have been doing in the election campaign as a candidate.

In the Palace of Westminster (as it is still officially known) I now have a coat hook with a pink ribbon for my sword should I need one and am still waiting to hear when I get some desk space.

I shudder to think what I might be given next - a coat of arms, perhaps?

But away from these archaic Westminster traditions, it's time to get down to the business of being an MP - serving the people of Brighton who have put their trust in me.

I pledge to represent all of the voters of this constituency, not just those who voted for me.

The people of Brighton deserve a good constituency MP who helps constituents with whatever political issues or problems affect their lives.

But they also deserve an MP who will campaign on the wider principles that matter - nationally as well as locally, including:

Equality

Fairness

Protecting civil liberties

And making sure every home is warm and dry and fit to live in.

The economy

But what about the economy in this difficult time for the country?

Brighton's economy is largely composed of small, independent businesses and the public sector, which I as a Euro-MP and the Green councillors here have consistently done our best to support.

I'll continue that support as the MP for the smaller business sector - the lifeblood of the city's economy - by seeking talks with all involved about widening the local economic base and creating more skilled employment.

I hope over the coming months to meet with all those in the business community and in the public sector and the voluntary or ‘third' sector to discuss what Brighton needs for a sustainable and thriving local economy.

An independent voice in Westminster

I also hope that my election will give me an independent platform to raise the issues that really matter to the people of Brighton: a voice for families struggling in the recession and a voice of reason with the new Tory-Liberal coalition government.

But there's more to it than that.

Street meets with residents

As has happened twice already over the last few days I plan to do more ‘street meets' in different parts of the constituency as well as traditional 'surgeries' - drop-in advice sessions in the constituency usually on a weekly basis. 

It was great to meet so many people so easily - that kind of accessibility is how it should be for an MP.

One of the first people to congratulate also asked me to make a date to go and talk to her about some issues in relation to care for the elderly, which I have asked my staff to arrange straight away.

Another example is the constituent who until recently had been homeless, living rough in New Road itself.

He had managed to get himself off the street and into housing and wanted me to meet with him soon, to be able to share his experiences more widely to replicate his success.

He was an inspiration and is coming to meet me in my office very soon.

It is exactly this sort of direct involvement in people's lives that Green Politics is all about.