Gordon Birtwistle MP is the newly elected Liberal Democrat MP for Burnley, a seat he won from Labour with a 12 per cent swing last month. In this week’s diary for Total Politics he writes about making his maiden speech and getting told off by the whips “like a naughty schoolboy”.

I am just beginning now, to find my feet in this strange place (and to find my way around). To say the first couple of weeks have been overwhelming has been an understatement! I did not think that when I was eventually successfully elected, it would be as part of a party in government.

I am still getting to grips with the unusual customs and rules here. I was lucky enough to be called quite early on in proceedings to make my maiden speech, although this did involve a six-hour wait on the benches. It was an honour to stand up and talk about Burnley in the chamber. Unfortunately I did not realise I would have to remain in the chamber for the winding up of business and I left 40 minutes after my speech.

After receiving an urgent message from the whips I dashed back to the House just as my dinner was being served and managed to thoroughly disrupt proceedings. This resulted in a reprimanding by both the whips office and the deputy Speaker! Like a naughty schoolboy I had to write to the Speaker’s office the next day to express my apologies. I may be the ‘oldest new member’ but I have a lot to learn about this House!

In between making my maiden speech and asking my first question to the Leader of the House, I have been back in Burnley trying to get our lovely new constituency office up and running. The casework is already flying in but I feel almost settled now, having managed to gather a team of experienced staff who are keen to get going — and who will hopefully stop me from getting into any more trouble!

Back in Westminster all I need now is to find somewhere to live. Oh and that small matter of an office...