LOCKDOWN measures might have proved very problematic for somebody who travels regularly and is required to meet with many people face-to-face but the show had to go on for the city's MP who was forced, like many of us, to quickly get used to working from home.

Robin Walker said his weekly work as MP for Worcester – which mostly involved working in different places and travelling between Westminster and Worcester as well as meeting a wide variety of people face-to-face – had obviously seen a massive shift.

And whilst, like for many others, the lockdown did not spell the end of work, Mr Walker said he has been busier than ever – especially with important conversations usually made face-to-face moving to Zoom chats and phone calls but particularly with a two-year-old to keep him occupied.

“Working from home with a lively two-year-old has been challenging at times but there has always been plenty to do,” he said.

“From taking up constituents’ individual concerns about safe distancing, business closures, self-isolation rules, furlough and welfare support through to speaking to local schools and employers about how they can restart safely there have been a constant flow of calls, zooms and remote meetings.

“Regular calls with the local authorities and local resilience forums have kept MPs in touch with the coordination of the local response and allowed us to raise matters of urgency directly with colleagues in Government.

“Alongside this and trying to manage my hardworking team of caseworkers, I've also had daily Cobra calls with government on different aspects of the response - health, general public services and economic - in my role as a Northern Ireland Minister.”

The 'massive shift' was no more demonstrated by Mr Walker's first visit to a deserted House of Commons in months earlier in May.

Mr Walker said the community spirit in Worcester had been inspirational despite the huge difficulties face during the lockdown and the enormous sacrifices made by people across the city.

“I know that so many constituents have had to deal with profoundly difficult circumstances and that huge sacrifices have been made in order to keep family and neighbours safe,” he said.

“I’ve been hugely impressed with the community spirit with which the vast majority have acted and it has been inspiring to see the steps taken to support the NHS, protect and support the children of key workers, get a roof over the heads of rough sleepers and get food and provisions to those most in need.”

Mr Walker said when normality did return he was looking forward to be able to get out and about again in Worcester and meeting with people face-to-face at his surgeries.

He said when restrictions were eventually lifted completely, he was looking forward to spending time with family and friends and catching up in person.

“Like so many others I have had family members isolating and sadly have lost friends without the chance to say goodbye,” he said. “I hope that whenever lockdown does fully end we’ll all be able to get some time with friends and family to catch up on something other than a phone line or zoom call.”