Amber Rudd looks forward after 100 days as MP

The town's MP has reflected on her "extraordinary" first 100 days and her party's historic coalition government,

Amber Rudd admitted it had been a steep learning curve but having got to grips with the job she is now relishing it, despite the difficult economic climate.

Ms Rudd told the Observer: "It has been extraordinary. You feel like you are thrown onto a very fast moving train, there are lots of rules and regulations in the House of Commons and I am relieved not to have fallen into the traps a new MP faces.

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"I hope I am starting to respond to my constituents and am making some progress, although it took me a little while to understand the system.

Michael Foster was the MP for 13 years and the feeling I have got is that I have been able to approach some things with a new enthusiasm and a fresh approach."

She said that fighting for the St Leonards Academy, boosting employment in the town and securing investment in transport were top of her agenda.

"We have got high unemployment and low wages and we need better quality jobs to come to Hastings," she said.

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"I have got my eye on the proposed local enterprise partnerships which are due next year and will offer funds to develop local economies. I have already spoken with George Osborne and he has told me to come back with a proposal, so there may be other ways to fund projects like the link road."

And Ms Rudd is delighted at what she sees as the successful

Conservative coalition with the Liberal Democrats. "It was a leap of faith but it feels very stable and all the indications are that people approve of the coalition agreement. I was particularly pleased with the moves to raise the income tax threshold '“- it is a ridiculous situation that sees low paid people paying too much, and changing it was particularly a Lib Dem proposal."

LibDem spokesman for Hastings Nick Perry added: "The Coalition is a genuine attempt to provide stability at a very difficult time. We Lib Dems remain committed to getting through as many of our policies as possible, to make Britain freer and fairer."

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But Labour councillor Jay Kramer, deputy leader of Hastings Borough Council, disagreed.

"I cannot see anything in the first 100 days of the Coalition Government that is positive," she said.

"The vicious, unprecedented attack on public services does not strike me as much of an achievement. I absolutely refute the notion that Labour is responsible for these cuts and I am really anxious about them as the effect will be disproportionate in Hastings, not just in local government but health, education and job prospects."