Ms Beyer admits the workload of an MP has come as a surprise. She thought the amount of paperwork generated in local government was bad enough but says it pales alongside the output of the parliamentary presses. Each area of responsibility brings its own paper war. I suppose the PM had a hand in there somewhere. Ms Beyer says the unrelenting workload has given her added admiration for MPs who manage to organise their calendar to allow for time with their families.
Families inevitably end up being part of the system.
It's a luxury for me, as a free agent, to be able to be all-consumed. And it is an all-consuming place. I find it exciting, stimulating and worthwhile. A consequence is that her social life revolves around work and her private life scarcely exists. Perhaps I'm being a bit silly but my private life is really in abeyance and is very much down the priority list.