“As a candidate before the election I had already written to Chiltern Railways about the lack of direct trains from the capital to Stratford.”

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Apart from the travel time, Manuela told the Herald that being in Parliament was an exciting and overwhelming experience at the same time.

“New MPs have to get to grips with a huge amount of information, from processes and procedures to finding all the main offices and attending a range of induction and training sessions,” she explained. “The training sessions were really useful and varied, ranging from setting up our constituency offices to hiring staff, from code of conduct training to IT induction, from security and safety to speaking and debating in the chamber.

“All the new MPs were also sworn in as MPs, which was very moving. I shed a tear when I entered the House of Commons and sat on the green benches for the first time.”

There have been a few wrong turns – more in terms of location than politics – but there are Parliament staff on hand to help and a buddy to show Manuela the ropes.

“I learned about the past and recent history of the different places in parliament and about the parliamentarians who drafted important laws over the centuries,” she said.

Part of that history was to be written yesterday (Wednesday) during the official opening of the parliament building and the Speech from the Throne.

“Then, MPs will discuss and vote on the legislative programme of the new government,” Manuela said. “I am very much looking forward to this. I am also looking forward to making my maiden speech (my love letter to the constituency) and using the tools that MPs have at their disposal to bring about change, improve current legislation or introduce new policies and scrutinise new legislation. We can use motions, oral questions, written questions, individual members’ bills, amendments to bills and many other procedures, and we can sit on select committees.”

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In her first week, Manuela supported her first parliamentary motion, urging Ofwat to reconsider the “insulting” rise in water bills (see page 12). Severn Trent Water, which supplies Stratford and surrounding areas, has announced a 23 per cent increase in bills.

Manuela said: “This is an insulting increase in water bills when the cost of living is so high and the water companies continue to pump sewage into our rivers and streams.

“Severn Trent cannot be allowed to get away with this. Communities like ours voted to take tough action against these polluting and profitable companies. The regulator and the government must listen.”

In the Stratford constituency, the business and day-to-day meetings of a Member of Parliament are underway.

“I have had a number of meetings, including with the (Stratford) Town Transport Group to discuss the transport strategy and vision to tackle the terrible traffic congestion in and around Stratford; and I have spoken to local businesses about incidents of anti-social behaviour.”

She added: “I already have a lot of cases to deal with, and some of them are urgent.”

Manuela expects that this will keep her busy all summer (and longer), but she can count on the support of her husband and children.

“My family have been fantastic during and after the general election campaign and have been incredibly supportive. They understand the demands of being a civil servant. I am very grateful.”

She hopes her work regime will allow her a few relaxing days with her family and dog Coco.