MOST politicians who survived the General Election campaign would be forgiven for opting to take a break in the sun before leaping straight into the Westminster cauldron.

But there is nothing further from Dr Richard Taylor's mind as he prepares to return to Parliament this week.

His genuine excitement at the prospect is obvious.

"It is going to be an entirely different ball game this time," he smiles, acutely aware of the potential impact he could have on Tony Blair's bruised majority of 67.

"I go back with much more confidence. I have better knowledge of how to do things and the battles to go on fighting.

"I'm looking forward to it more because, although I don't say one vote is likely to cause a difference, it could.

"Before, the majority was 160-something and there was no chance, despite Labour rebellions, of getting the Government to change its mind.

"Downing Street will admit to there being 20 rebels - I know there is a jolly sight more than that."

That the 70-year-old won the chance to travel back to London and represent Wyre Forest was one of the highlights of the election for political commentators.

In 2001 he rode a wave of protest against the Government's downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital to make way for Worcestershire Royal into the Houses of Parliament.

This time, the fury had subsided leaving some people questioning whether he could repeat his remarkable defeat of the major political party system. He did, albeit with a majority reduced from 17,630 to 5,250.

"There were special circumstances in 2001 and it was a protest against the way the community had been treated," says the former Kidderminster Hospital consultant physician.

"This is why I was absolutely delighted to get back because the anger has gone out of the situation largely, although I still get very disturbing letters of complaint about the way people are being handled."

His ambitions to address the unfinished business in the latest term are clear and naturally focus on health.

"If you ask people in Wyre Forest 'Has your health provision improved?' they will absolutely, categorically say it has got a lot worse," explains Dr Taylor, who wants to retain his seat on the influential parliamentary health select committee.

"It is only when we get a good deal more back here, to take the stress off Redditch and Worcester, will we hopefully begin to say it has improved."

He wants to secure a doctor 24 hours a day at Kidderminster's emergency care centre, more in-patient surgery and the return of the midwife-led birthing centre in the town.

But he also hopes to work with school pupils and staff over the changes from a three-tier to two-tier education system, encourage devolution to local communities and develop a heritage trail in Wyre Forest.

During his fight from the backbenches he will be joined by two other successful independents, from the 150-odd non-party candidates who stood in the election across the UK. It is an inflated figure that is partly attributed to Dr Taylor's success.

"I'd love to see more. You have to have a party system to run a country but independents are good for the system if no one knows what they might do and say next."

What he will do next, after this Parliament, is uncertain but it appears politics will miss out on one of its more memorable MPs.

"If this goes on four or five years, regrettably I may be getting a bit old to think of going on.

"Although my wife and daughter are very supportive, I don't know how much longer they would go on supporting me.

"I do want a bit of a retirement - there are a lot of things I want to do. If I hadn't achieved everything that ought to be achieved here I don't think there would be much point in my going on but I'm not going to make any absolute, definite promises."

Perhaps when he does end his spectacular foray into politics then his mind will finally turn to that break in the sun.