Bim Afolami reflects on a harrowing week following the killing Sir David Amess.

Read the latest exclusive Nub News column from Hitchin's parliamentarian as Mr Afolami opens up on the tragic death of his colleague, while paying a warm tribute to his fallen friend, as he vows to continue to engage with people in our town .

.........

The murder of Sir David Amess MP at a constituency surgery last Friday has left Parliament in a state of shock.

Sir David was a kind man, always willing to offer a wise word, give a needed piece of advice, or do a quick favour.

He was a real presence, a dedicated and long-serving constituency MP, and loved by all those who knew him.

My thoughts this week have been with his family, friends and staff.

David believed wholeheartedly in the value of a constituency MP and the role we play in our communities.

Whilst there will need to be important conversations over the coming weeks about our security – and that of our staff – we must be able to continue to engage with constituents face-to-face in the communities we represent.

Nub News readers will know from my previous columns that I am committed to engaging with people in Hitchin and our villages to understand your local national priorities and I will continue to knock on doors, have stalls in market squares and visit local pubs to meet you.

Being an MP means working 24/7 to fight for your constituents' interests.

It means being subject to scrutiny and accountable for the decisions you make. I know that the vast majority appreciate the work that we do and I have been very grateful to those of you who have taken the time to

send me a message of support over the past week.

But in recent years abuse, lies and threats against us has grown.

A cursory look at social media shows some very nasty views out there, held by more people than we should feel comfortable about.

Rhetoric and words matter to the mental wellbeing of MPs and their families, but they can also turn into threatening behaviour and violence.

I have had a few tough moments locally, but my female colleagues get it much worse.

I know well over a dozen who have had stalkers, or else attackers who have been sent to jail, as in the cases of Rosie Duffield, Nadine Dorries, Luciana Berger, Joanna Cherry, Rushanara Ali and Rebecca Pow (I could go on and on).

If we are to continue to encourage the best and brightest to go into politics, we need to do more to address this toxic culture.

We need to continue to stand up for the good that politics and politicians can do, the value of our roles, and the contribution that MPs on both sides of the aisle make.