Speaking to Daniel Kawczynski one thing is clear – he will cross the floor in the House of Commons as a man on a mission.
The Shrewsbury MP held on to his constituency seat in impressive style last Thursday, polling 23,313 votes – almost 8,000 clear of nearest challenger Dr Charles West of the Liberal Democrats. That he achieved such a margin on a high 70 per cent turnout during a sometimes fractious campaign is even more impressive. 
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have won,” said Daniel.
“I’m very conscious that people have entrusted me to fight for Shrewsbury in Parliament and I will continue to do that.
“I was very heartened on the campaign by a lot of people saying they were traditional Labour supporters but were supporting me because I had helped them in some way.
“ I think party allegiances are not as strong as they were 30 to 40 years ago, and an MP has a duty to work hard building confidence with their constituents.”
Despite a tense week nationally, full of behind-the-scenes negotiations which ended with a new Conservative-Liberal Democrat alliance leading the country, Daniel has already identified his key priorities for business at Westminster – and Shrewsbury features prominently.
School funding
His number one priority will be to fight to change the funding mechanism for schools – at the moment Shropshire receives one of the lowest amounts of cash per pupil in the country.
Daniel claims while Shropshire receives around £3,700 per pupil per annum other constituencies get as much as £8,000 per pupil.
Secondly, he plans to set up a national cross-party group campaigning for better rights for senior citizens with members of Shrewsbury Senior Citizens’ Forum acting as the secretariat.
“Members of Shrewsbury Senior Citizens’ Forum will have unprecedented access to Parliament,” said Daniel.
“They will be part of a sitting Parliamentary group and there will be lots of meetings at Westminster discussing national issues that they will be involved with.”
Daniel also wants to set up a committee of all MPs with constituencies where the River Severn runs, with a view to creating a long-term co-ordinated solution to flooding.
Daniel said: “The biggest threat to our long term prosperity is the river constantly flooding. It has the biggest impact on trade in the town and makes people think twice before investing in the town. I want investment into some sort of long term strategic management of the River Severn. Ad hoc flood defences are not the answer, but long term ideas like a wet washlands scheme can work.”
Daniel also remains vehemently opposed to the planned £60 million Battlefield incinerator, calling it an ‘appalling mistake’ and urging Shropshire Council officers and councillors to reconsider.
He claims he has also been given a pledge from Prime Minister David Cameron to set up a national ombudsman regulating prices charged by supermarkets which he believes are ‘crucifying’ Shropshire farmers.
Daniel is open to changes on the voting system used in general elections too– as long as any new proportional representation system maintains a link between a MP and a constituency.
He said: “If I cannot represent Shrewsbury I would not stand – as MPs we have to represent a constituency. MPs representing regions is ridiculous – at the moment people struggle to name their European Parliament members.”
Daniel can be contacted at his constituency office by calling 01743 466477.
By Peter Kitchen