SIX weeks after learning he would not feature in Theresa May’s ministerial line-up, Justin Tomlinson has had time to reflect on his record and is looking forward to the new challenges ahead.

After fourteen months as a government minister, when parliament returns on Monday from its summer recess the MP for North Swindon will again take his place on the backbenches.

Looking back on his achievements in his former role, Mr Tomlinson said: “I was very disappointed to no longer be the Minister for Disabled People.

“I loved the role – I was very enthusiastic and got really engaged with the stakeholders across the country.

“I enjoyed working with the national charities and the many local organisations who all do fantastic, innovative and often unseen work.

“We had some great achievements – probably the one that will make the most impact is the change in the rules for apprenticeship programmes so that if you have special educational needs you would be exempt from the grade C maths and English requirement.”

Mr Tomlinson wasted no time getting back into the swing of non-ministerial life before the summer break – asking questions of ministers in the Commons and speaking in debates.

In the weeks that followed he has had time to think about how his day to day role will change.

“I’m going to be very active – whether I’m a minister or a backbench MP I’ve got a job to do,” he said.

“I’ve always had one of the highest speaking and voting records in parliament and that will continue.

“Obviously I wish I was still a minister but if I’m not a minister then I will have to try and influence government policy from the backbenches – that’s where you raise parliamentary questions, speak in debates and secure debates.

“I did that before and that’s what I will try to do again now.”

Although there are clear differences between Theresa May and her predecessor, Mr Tomlinson expects the two governments to operate in a fairly similar style, albeit with different priorities in some areas.

Of course the most significant change is that the new government faces the challenge of defining and implementing Brexit.

So far we are told that “Brexit means Brexit” - but many are wondering when we might start to go further than just the soundbite.

“What we don’t want to do is artificially trigger Article 50 before we’re ready,” explained Mr Tomlinson.

“We’ve got 30 years of legislation that we have to pour over and we have to make sure that we’re in the strongest position going forward.

“The French and German governments have both made it clear that they want to see a deal that works and I’m confident that there will be some sort of flexible terms agreed.

“I suspect we’re looking at sometime early next year that it will be triggered – Brexit does mean Brexit and I think everyone has accepted that now.”

Mr Tomlinson’s Conservative colleague Robert Buckland, who represents South Swindon, will continue in his role as Solicitor General in the new government.