Andrew Lewin on his first month as Welwyn Hatfield MP

Mr Lewin was elected as the Labour candidate at the July 4 General Election, unseating Conservative stalwart and long-serving cabinet minister Grant Shapps, who spent 19 years as MP for the constituency.

"We’re probably one of the only democracies that finds out an election result at 4am on a Friday, and then you’re in parliament on the Sunday in my case. That was exhausting," Mr Lewin reflected.

House of Commons

One of his first task was to give his maiden speech in the House of Commons, which now allows him to intervene on issues discussed in parliament and give a "voice to constituents".

"That was really important, because it was my first opportunity to speak for residents, praise my predecessor and talk about the history of the constituency," he said.

"It also allowed me to set out some of my priorities and talk about the things that are important to me.

"Giving that maiden speech allows me to intervene in the House of Commons on any issue, thus giving a voice to constituents on a whole host of issues.

"The moment I walked into the House of Commons, the history and weight of responsibility hit me in a way that you can’t really prepare for.

"I think that’s a good thing because I am conscious that I am responsible for championing 110,000 people in our constituency. It’s the most important job that I will ever have, and I take that incredibly seriously."

Infected blood scandal

Back in Welwyn Hatfield, Mr Lewin's first meeting was with Mike and Diana Blake, whose son Stuart was one of the victims of the infected blood scandal.

He was infected with HIV and hepatitis C at the age of six, and died aged just 27 after a long battle with AIDS.

"The infected blood scandal is so important to me," said Welwyn Hatfield's MP. 

"The Blake family have suffered unimaginably with their son Stuart, and I was able to raise their case on the floor of the House of Commons.

"I think that’s a lesson. Of course I have my own priorities as an MP, but I will always be responsive to the needs of local people, and in that case, it was very emotive.

"I am so grateful that they were willing to share their story with me. Those are the moments that are meaningful for me, and I’m really proud of what this Labour government has set out in terms of further compensation to come, because that’s what this is all about.

"It’s not about me raising a question, it’s about bringing justice for families who have suffered for too long."

Queensway House development

One of Andrew's key aims is to push forward work on Hatfield's 13-storey Queensway House, which still stands despite plans to knock it down and regenerate the site being approved in 2019.

"I have already met with the leader and chief executive of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and impressed upon them that we need to work at much greater speed to push this forward," he said.

"It represents a big opportunity, because this was originally entirely social housing, so this is the chance to build modern, 21st-century homes and infrastructure right in the centre of Hatfield, and I want to play a part in driving that.

"With the regeneration of Hatfield, it’s not just a question of quantity, but it’s about quality. I’m frustrated that plans might not be as advanced as I’d hope, but I’m excited because I now have a role in shaping it.

"I’ve heard from people in Hatfield that they feel like they are the forgotten part of the borough and I am absolutely determined that will not be the case. I want to be a champion for Hatfield.

"It’s an increasingly diverse town and has so many good things about it, but regeneration is something it needs and deserves."

Welwyn Garden City housing

The new Labour government has come under scrutiny after chancellor Rachel Reeves announced changes to how planning would work, including adjusted housing targets and an overhaul of major development decision-making.

This could have a big impact on Welwyn Garden City, with campaigners concerned that the planning principles of founder Sir Ebenezer Howard will be be overlooked.

Mr Lewin was keen to stress that while "homes must be sympathetically built", housing targets must also be met.

"I’ve made sure to look closely at the new targets and it’s a really interesting picture," he said.

"The prior target under the Conservative government for homes completed across the borough was 901 per year. Under Labour’s new targets that has been reduced to 834 per year, but it’s important that people understand the previous run rate was 341 on average of the past three years.

"I want people to understand that Labour increasing housing targets for our borough is simply not the case.

"Building homes must be done sympathetically and in the spirit and design of the garden city. History tells us we can get the balance right and we have to get it right again, but I’m not going to shy away from saying we’ve got to meet the targets.

"I’m very pleased that my colleagues in the Labour party on Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council very quickly got a Local Plan adopted, after the Conservative regime failed to do so for so long. Not having a Local Plan leaves you subject to speculative development of which you don’t have control."