Hancock Diaries: SIX mentions of Suffolk constituency work

Released on Tuesday, December 6, Mr Hancock's book 'Pandemic Diaries: The inside story of Britain's battle against Covid' makes just six mentions to his constituency work in west Suffolk within its 570 pages.

"I've been away so long, going home to Suffolk felt like an adventure," he wrote at one point.

In another reference, shortly after the announcement of the Eat Out To Help Out scheme in July 2020, Mr Hancock said he returned to his constituency for the first time since March and said: "For the best part of six months, Elizabeth Hitchcock, who normally runs my parliamentary office, has essentially been MP for West Suffolk in all but name".

He goes on to describe Ms Hitchcock as a "bright, super-charming American," saying that "everyone in Suffolk loves her," detailing how she "kept the show on the road" while dealing with an "avalanche" of constituency correspondence.

He adds: "Sometimes I think my constituents would prefer her to me."

Mildenhall mayor Ian Shipp did not feel this was appropriate, however. 

"I never had any dealings with Ms Hitchcock and am astonished to read that she was seen to be our de facto MP!" he said. 

Ian Shipp is the mayor of Mildenhall. (Image: Ian Shipp)

"There are many stories of unanswered letters, emails and dissatisfied constituents along with a lack of support on local issues."

Cllr Shipp added: "I believe his constituents deserve an MP who will champion local concerns and issues above personal gain and glory. "

"I will support one who commits to that."

Cllr Shipp is not the only mayor in Mr Hancock's constituency who feels their MP has let them down. 

Bruce Davidson is the mayor of Haverhill, the biggest town in Matt Hancock's constituency. (Image: Haverhill Town Council)

Haverhill Mayor Bruce Davidson, mayor of the largest town in Mr Hancock's constituency which called for him to "do the honourable thing" by resigning his seat in parliament after his I'm a Celebrity involvement was announced, said he still felt Mr Hancock should stand down now as he would not be 'giving it 100%' until May 2024.

He added however that he "felt sorry" for the MP due to his "exhausting" workload during the pandemic.

He didn't have any dealings with Ms Hitchcock before, during or after the pandemic but added: "She should not have been dealing with constituency matters, but in reality the day-to-day stuff is always dealt with by the staff."

Newmarket mayor Philippa Winter also stood by the town council's call at the end of November for the MP to stand down.

Cllr Winter said Newmarket was "somewhat disappointed" with their MP for the way in which he had been serving his constituents and said she had no intention of reading 'Pandemic Diaries'.

She added that the town council had still not received a response to their letter asking Mr Hancock to resign - almost a month after it was first sent.

Newmarket mayor Philippa Winter said that she has no intention to read 'Pandemic Diaries'. (Image: Newmarket Town Council)

Councillor Lance Stanbury, said that while he had not read the book, he had put it on his Christmas list.

In regard to Mr Hancock's constituency role within the pandemic, Cllr Stanbury said: "Locally, his association was very happy with him and totally understood his primary responsibility and to the rest of the country."

He added that he knew Ms Hitchcock very well, having met with her only last week, and emphasised that Mr Hancock, alongside all MPs, had a team around him who deal with primary correspondence.

"I definitely have not ever had the impression that Elizabeth was effectively standing in for him," he said.

"Whenever I was seeing Elizabeth, I would also be seeing Matt."

Councillor Lance Stanbury is the chairman of the West Suffolk Conservative Association. (Image: West Suffolk Council)

Cllr Stanbury believes the West Suffolk MP was being his "usual generous and flattering self" in extending his thanks to Ms Hitchcock within the book.

A spokesman for Matt Hancock said: "A very large group of people - including Matt - worked unbelievably hard during this global pandemic to not only do the right thing for those living in West Suffolk but to save as many lives as possible across the country, under unprecedented circumstances."

How many times did Matt Hancock mention his constituency work in his new book?

Matt Hancock makes direct reference to the West Suffolk constituency six times throughout his new book:

1. The first chapter opens with Mr Hancock waking up in Suffolk on January 1, 2020. He makes reference to the last time he pulled an all-nighter, which was when he was "waiting for [the General Election] result in my constituency in Newmarket".
    
2. Burton End primary school in Haverhill is also mentioned as it was here, during a visit to the students in February 2020, that Mr Hancock received a call from then Prime Minister Boris Johnson in regard to the first COBRA meeting: "The kids got very excited when I looked at the screen and said, 'I'm sorry, it's the Prime Minister. I have to speak to him.'"
    
3. The third reference is in regard to Elizabeth Hitchcock working as the West Suffolk MP "in all but name" for six months, where Mr Hancock adds: "Sometimes I think my constituents would prefer her to me."
    
4. The MP also mentions dropping into a Market in Mildenhall in July 2020 and afterwards visiting Newmarket Community Hospital to open the new GP surgery. He finished off the day with a beer on Haverhill High Street, saying: "It was oh-so-sweet a day. I've been away so long, going home to Suffolk felt like an adventure."
    
5. Mr Hancock describes visiting a care home in West Suffolk in September 2020, arriving to "whooping and cheering" from the staff and residents. He adds: "When I told the manager she was going to get free PPE, she nearly cried."
    
6.  Finally, the West Suffolk MP makes reference to the publication of the initial proposals of the Boundary Commission in June 2021 to change the way parliamentary constituencies are drawn. He recalls a conversation with fellow MP Michael Gove: "'Newmarket or Haverhill?' he asked, looking at the way my patch will be carved up. 'Like choosing between my children,' I replied."
   
   NOTE: Note: Seven other mentions of Suffolk as a county are made in the book which do not relate to Mr Hancock’s west Suffolk constituency work including praise for the ‘wonderfully supportive’ local association, issues with wifi and mention of a family meal at Montaz in Newmarket. 

Who is Elizabeth Hitchcock?

Elizabeth Hitchcock has been a parliamentary assistant to Matt Hancock on a part-time basis since May 2016.

Since May 2018, she has also been a Conservative councillor for the Knightsbridge and Belgravia wards in Westminster, London.

She has lived in London for over 30 years, has four sons and, according the West Suffolk MP is "a bright, super-charming American" loved by everyone in Suffolk.

According to Matt Hancock, Ms Hitchcock usually runs his parliamentary office, but was "MP for West Suffolk" in all but name for six months during the height of the pandemic.

Mr Hancock said that she "kept the show on the road" in handling the "avalanche" of constituency correspondence.

He added: "She can be direct and is not remotely afraid to challenge me, frequently taking the time on her journeys to and from Suffolk to tell me she's not really sure lockdowns are a great idea.

"Sometimes I think my constituents would prefer her to me."

We would like to clarify an earlier reference to Mr Stanbury as Chairman of the West Suffolk Conservative Association. Rachel Hood is the current chairman.