South Swindon's new Labour MP Anne Snelgrove has spent her first 48 hours in the House of Commons. Here she writes about getting told off, finding the tea room and obeying her first three line whip

"It has been a real whirlwind since last week.

I arrived yesterday morning and it feels like a month ago. It was a really thrilling experience to walk across Westminster Bridge towards the Houses of Parliament and to think I was part of that.

It is something I have worked for for ten years and I still have to pinch myself to believe that I am here.

I had been told to go to Portcullis House for an induction at 10am and it was my first three line whip.

I was very excited because I have never had a three line whip before. I think the whip who phoned me up to tell me was a bit confused she said I wouldn't be that excited about all of them.

Usually when you go to the House of Commons there is a lot of security. I had brought a copy of my election leaflet so I could prove who I was and I was quite ready for them to challenge me but that didn't happen at all.

I was so surprised because they recognised me. What they had done is put together a book of all the new members and they all had these books.

Someone was assigned to me and I was whisked off to have my pass made so within five minutes of being there I had my MPs' pass, which has green and white stripes across it. I felt very privileged to have the MPs' pass I don't ever want to take this off!

The new Labour MPs were then addressed by the chief whip. Because it is a tighter majority this time round it is going to be more difficult to get off the whip so I shall be here Monday to Thursday but I will be back in Swindon at weekends and Friday and Monday morning.

The rest of the day was spent sorting out things like telephones. I have got a phone number now but I haven't actually got a phone!

Another thing I have been doing is getting lost.

It is a real warren behind the chamber.

But I have found the tearoom. I went with a friend and we were very worried about whether we would sit in the right place because the different parties have different places it is like going into the senior common room at school.

Some very kind people explained to us we were sitting near to the Lib Dem seats but that we were okay.

I've also had a TV crew following me around which was fun but got me into trouble as well. We had permission to film in the lobby but I didn't realise you are not allowed to walk and be filmed so I got told off for walking!

We have had the Parliamentary Labour Party meeting, which was very enjoyable and we were reminded that this was a historic third term.

Then we had to elect the speaker, which was the first time I have sat in the House of Commons a historic first for me."