A day out with Beckenham MP Bob Stewart

"I MUST admit I've never had a six-pack."

Col Bob Stewart is nothing if not candid.

The Beckenham MP invited me to shadow him for a constituency visit and what follows is an enlightening spy through the political peep-hole.

Firstly I have a tour of his office at the Beckenham Conservative Association in Church Avenue and meet his staff: senior parliamentary assistant Neil Cropper, caseworker Councillor Ruth Bennett and secretary Katie Avery.

As Cllr Bennett reveals the office gets about 100 emails a day, let alone the letters and phone calls, Col Stewart reveals the problems of being a politician.

"It is hard when people criticise you or when someone sends a letter to the newspaper saying you're rubbish. I have developed a thicker skin since becoming an MP.

"If people are rude, I don't reply. Or often I say: I have wasted no time in reading your letter which can be interpreted either way."

Next he takes me on a drive, and in between having the odd grumble about his kids’ choice of radio station in the car, tells me more about why he became a politician.

The 63-year-old says: "The first people to suggest it were some former soldiers who said 'please do this'.

"I originally tried to get in another constituency but I didn't even make the shortlist, I was told 'you weren't good enough' so I was so shocked when I was selected as the MP for Beckenham (in 2010)."

Our first appointment for the day is with the volunteer-run Pop-in Parlour in Sussex Road, West Wickham, where Col Stewart wastes no time in getting acquainted with elderly couple Lillian and Maurice MacKenzie who are having lunch.

An hour later he leaves buzzing with enthusiasm and tells his parliamentary assistant his plans.

"Cancel my Saturday appointment. I've told them I'm volunteering there. I was going to go to a lunch thing but this is much more important."

Next stop is a roam down West Wickham High Street.

He says he often enjoys walking around talking to passers by: "The public will complain they only see their MPs during election time so I do my best to get out and about."

As we enter The Swan in West Wickham High Street he is greeted affectionately by managers Lisa and Michael Powley and seems excited to hear their son has just been accepted into the navy.

He says: "Too many people are going to university. I want to encourage more people to join the armed forces or do VSO.

"There are all these people going to university and not enough graduate jobs."

The former British United Nations Commander who is described by one of his staff as a "one man job centre" reveals he is grappling with how to use his role to help young people: "I'd really like to take on an apprentice but I'm worried I'd get attached to them and find it hard to say goodbye.

"And how do you get young people involved in politics? At the moment we charge people £25 per year to be a Conservative party member and make them stuff envelopes."

As we settle down in the pub we meet we meet members of Beccehamian RFC and West Wickham FC  and the former war hero reveals some haunting stories from his time in Bosnia and Northern Ireland.

How does seeing the most desperate side of human nature affect the way he deals with the issues of middle class constituents?

"Research recently showed Beckenham has one of the lowest levels of child poverty in London but what does this mean? People aren't dying of hunger in this country like they are in other countries."

He reveals his biggest worry is the number of older people in the area who are struggling: "The thing I'm asked about most by my constituents is sorting out social care, people trying to get their parents into homes."

When I ask him about the most shocking thing he’s witnessed in his time in Beckenham, he answers without a moment’s hesitation.

"I spoke to an elderly lady when I was canvassing, she invited me in for a cup of tea. She told me she got very lonely and I said I was sorry but the dog must keep her company because I'd seen some dog food.

"She explained the dog food was for her and said ‘It comes up well in a stew’"

Ultimately despite the many challenges of being an MP, Col Stewart is prosaic about the life of an MP.

"It's not a job, it's a lifestyle or a vocation. If you don't like it, don't do it - plenty of people want to."

TIMELINE

10am Tour round the Beckenham Conservative Association in Church Avenue

11am Visit the Pop-in Parlour in Sussex Road, West Wickham

12pm Walk round West Wickham High Street

12.30pm Talk to Beccehamian RFC and West Wickham FC members and other regulars at The Swan pub in West Wickham High Street

2.30pm Col Stewart heads back to the office in Church Avenue to attend confidential surgeries