‘You’ve got nothing to lose’: Labour’s ‘bonus MPs’ aim to make their mark after surprise wins
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Some of the 33 MPs elected in non-target seats have already made a big impression as they settle into unexpected roles. Neil Duncan-Jordan’s new parliamentary office is at the top of a steep staircase in a maze of corridors just behind the speaker’s house, with a sweeping view of the Thames. The space is decorated with mod posters and jazz vinyls; he has Miles Davis playing on the record player.
![[Jessica Elgot]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2017/10/06/Jessica-Elgot,-R.png?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
“I want it to be me,” he said, gesturing around the room. “Because this place isn’t me, is it? Working-class people didn’t come here very often in the past. Now there’s many more of us and we bring our traditions. Somehow you’ve got to try and make this part of you.”.
![[Terry Jermy in Thetford]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/ee648ad710d4d216ddbe45ab5a47d918aed3dd4a/574_311_6841_4105/master/6841.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Duncan-Jordan, the first Labour MP for Poole, had never expected to be sitting here. But he has made a big impression, speaking out against government decisions on winter fuel payments and the refusal of compensation for Waspi women. He is one of Labour’s 33 so-called “bonus MPs” who arrived in Westminster from non-target seats. Some have their own WhatsApp group to navigate the surprise of leaving behind jobs and families to sit in the House of Commons.
![[Laura Kyrke-Smith in Aylesbury]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/f3401ccfb420b29008ae599098c64421904d4690/1_151_7696_4617/master/7696.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Sam Carling, the Labour MP for North West Cambridgeshire, was studying for a master’s when he got elected aged 22. “During the campaign you just have tunnel vision. And when you win, you have to move house and start a new job, essentially start a small business recruiting staff,” he said.
![[Jermy talking to a postal worker in a delivery office]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0fe6ad7405dcdb6c21ac3704b68362e9e1a90ec/1674_490_5212_3127/master/5212.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
The new MPs are from different wings of the party. Duncan-Jordan joked that they were all acutely aware they may not get long in the job. “My neighbour [another MP] said people like you are dangerous because you’re not after a career. You weren’t supposed to be here, and you’ve got nothing to lose.”.
