The BBC has been profiling some of our new MPs, with great photos. (You will have to click through to see some of them).

Mike Martin: Tunbridge Wells

My first day at Westminster https://t.co/vFew462Wk7

— Mike Martin MP (@ThreshedThought) July 8, 2024

Mike told the BBC:

I am absolutely humbled being here and elected. It’s a total privilege.

I just can’t wait to get stuck in now, to help with all of the issues people have told me about over the past two years.

David Chadwick: Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe

From paralysis to parliament in ten years. Almost exactly ten years ago I was totally paralysed while studying in Argentina. Fortunately I made a full recovery thanks to our NHS, care system and a big dose of good luck. Am now here to fight for others https://t.co/eJshcoXKPB

— David Chadwick MP (@LibDemDavid) July 10, 2024

Twelve years ago David was in a serious car crash and was put in an induced coma. On top of that he developed a rare neurological condition called Guillain-Barré Syndrome – I have huge sympathy for David as my husband has had it as well.   He said:

The experience made me realise how important a functioning health care system is, because we never know when we’re going to need it.

When I was totally paralysed I had a lot of time to think about my life and I decided I want to use my body and the rest of my life to do good.

I’ve met a lot of people over the past couple of weeks who really need support and it’s an honour to be in a place where I can hopefully help them as much as I can.

Tom Gordon: Harrogate and Knaresborough

‘My mum’s cancer struggle got me into politics’

He explained:

The day before I started my master’s degree, my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately she’s fine and recovered now. She’s even a councillor in Wakefield.

He added that he wanted to get into politics after seeing:

… how people have to struggle or cope when they’ve got long-term or chronic life-threatening illness and the fact that there’s not enough support there for people.

Anna Sabine: Frome and East Somerset

New MP will use her ‘real world experience’

Anna is quoted:

I think we need more people from kind of normal backgrounds in Parliament.

So actually, you don’t think about being an MP until suddenly at 5am on Friday morning, you find out you are one.

As an adult you can process that, but as children it’s very hard to understand why suddenly your parents are going to be away most of the week, each week.

Manuela Perteghella: Stratford-on-Avon

Lib Dem wears the crown in Shakespeare’s birthplace

Great headline! Manuela told the BBC:

I’m very humbled to have been elected to represent my home.

* Mary Reid is a contributing editor on Lib Dem Voice. She was a councillor in Kingston upon Thames, where she is still very active with the local party, and is the Hon President of Kingston Lib Dems.