NEWLY elected Monmouth MP David Davies has told the Chronicle that he will stand down as the area's AM at the next Assembly Elections in May 2007. Until then however, Mr Davies said he intends to continue as both the local Assembly Member and MP. "I will not be fighting another Assembly election," said Mr Davies. "However, I do not want to stand down immediately." He said that a by-election would cause unnecessary expense with the next Assembly election just two years away. "I feel I'm able to do both jobs," said Mr Davies, who pointed out that he would not be getting paid for both jobs. "As an AM most of my job is dealing with community issues and making representations on behalf of people, something that a MP does. A lot of Plaid Cymru and Labour MP's managed to combine both and some of them had ministerial responsibilities and workloads on top of that." Mr Davies was elected as Monmouth MP in last Thursday's General Election with a majority of 4,527. The turnout, in what has been a key marginal seat in recent times, increased from 72 per cent to 74 per cent from the 2001 General Election, with Mr Davies securing 47 per cent of the vote to oust Labour MP Huw Edwards with a five per cent swing, to become the first Welsh Tory MP since 1997. "I was surprised with the majority, but very pleased," said Mr Davies. "We worked very hard and run what I thought was a very good election campaign. People told me whilst canvassing that we were on course to win but I didn't actually believe it, or take it for granted, until the result was announced." He added, "I would like to pay tribute in particular to the constituency's former MP Huw Edwards and the Liberal Democrats' candidate Phil Hobson. "Between the three of us we showed how to fight an election without degenerating to personal attacks. In another life I could have become good friends with both of them." During the past week Mr Davies has been busy settling in at Westminster attending various induction courses, being taught the rules and learning how MPs are expected to conduct themselves in the Houses of Parliament. Despite the hectic schedule Mr Davies has spent some of his time reflecting on his new role. "We were given a guided tour of Westminster which was a humbling experience," said Mr Davies. "You look around at the various statues of influential MPs and think how can you possibly compete with people like that." He said that he was very proud to be Monmouth MP and was looking forward to the challenges ahead. "The job of representing Monmouth is going to be hugely important as a lot of Welsh policy isn't decided in the Assembly but actually at Westminster. I don't want to be the sort of politician who spends all his time in London climbing a greasy pole. "I want to represent and serve the area I grew up in to best of my ability." He revealed that there was lots to plan but it wouldn't be long before he delivers his first speech. "There is a huge amount to plan but I aim to make my first speech as soon as possible and fight against Council Tax rises; hospital waiting lists and make sure we have good schools." As regards the government's controversial policy to house sex offenders in Open conditions at Prescoed Prison near Usk, Mr Davies said he would be raising the issue with his namesake David Davies MP when the opportunity arose.
