TATTON MP Esther McVey pens her monthly column for the Guardian.

It’s been a busy few weeks in Parliament and will continue to be so, particularly in the run up to Christmas with late night sittings to midnight and possibly beyond as voting continues on the EU Withdrawal Bill (committee stage) through the Commons.

For those of you who follow politics and watch the proceedings on the Parliament Channel, I’ve been asked why the Speaker, John Bercow, isn’t presiding over the EU Bill and why a committee stage is on the floor of the main House rather than being in the committee rooms.

Well, both answers are linked.

The EU Withdrawal Bill is of such constitutional importance that it isn’t in a committee room where each party would have selected a small quota of their MPs to scrutinise and vote on it.

Instead the debate has been brought to the main chamber so every Member of Parliament can take part, but in so doing the Speaker can’t preside over it, instead the Deputy Speakers and Panel of Committee Chairs are accompanied by the Clerks.

Personally it’s been a busy time too as I was promoted to Deputy Chief Whip, and what a time to be appointed to that role!

Not only am I responsible for helping to deliver the safe transition of the UK’s biggest constitutional change (with a tiny majority in the House of Commons) but also assisting with the modernisation of the Whips office - what worked in the 18th Century doesn’t in the 21st - and the office needs to become a modern HR department much like one in any major organisation.

The promotion came out of the blue too - a phone call from Number 10 at 9.55am Thursday morning asking me to come to Downing Street immediately to meet with the Prime Minister, and I was installed in post by 10.55am.

To ensure constituents are kept abreast of events locally and nationally, I’m out canvassing with my team on Saturdays.

I’ve also begun an email news bulletin so if anyone would like to receive it please email my office at Esther@EstherMcVey.com simply saying ‘I’d like to receive your news bulletin’ and we’ll happily add you to the mailing list.