It is a common myth that MPs have ludicrously long holidays. Parliament went into recess last week. With the exception of two weeks in September, MPs will not return for two and a half months. But, Parliament not sitting is not the same thing as MPs not working. I can’t speak for others, but I’m […]
Read MoreAs I came through the general anaesthetic last week (from key-hole surgery to repair some hip cartilage), I gazed through bleary eyes at the TV screen for some news. The Sky News ticker read: “North Korea threatens to invade South Korea”. Next item: “Conservative MP criticises Coalition in Pub”. It was a typical illustration of […]
Read MoreThis week started with the second reading of the Academies Bill, the new government’s first educational reform. The aim is to free local teachers, parents and community groups from state bureaucracy, allowing them to apply for academy status for their local school. With that status comes a range of freedoms - to tailor the curriculum […]
Read MoreErika and I have been visiting local fairs and shows whilst the good weather holds. Today, we enjoyed lunch and the opening of the brilliant Claygate Flower Show (below, with President Susanne Tunnicliff and her husband Kenny) …. … before joining Mike Roycroft and his fantastic team at the Whiteley village Summer Fete (above). Both […]
Read MoreBritain has until the end of the month to decide whether or not to sign up to the European Investigation Order. We have not had an opportunity to debate the matter in the House of Commons. So, I raised the matter in the Chamber this week. In the Order’s current form, it would allow European […]
Read MoreThe House of Commons today debated whether to continue the temporary - and emergency - measure of extending pre-charge detention to 28 days. You can watch the debate here (with my contribution at 49mins in the debate).
Read MoreSky News’ Joey Jones interviews myself and some of the other new MPs. You can read his blog post, and watch the interview here.
Read MoreToday, The Independent ran an interesting article on the true scale of the debt inherited from the last government. It points out that, if you include all public sector liabilities, total debt is £3.8 trillion - around four times higher than the official measure. For policy wonks and bean counters, the article is based on […]
Read MoreI was delighted to hear this week that capital grant funding for Princess Alice Hospice has been confirmed despite the parlous state of the public finances. The hospice does incredible work for those with terminal illness - and their families - and Ministers have now confirmed to me that a £40k tranche of capital funding, […]
Read MoreLast week, the opposition seized on selective Treasury figures suggesting the government’s emergency budget would lead to 1.3 million job losses - ignoring the 2.5 million expected to be created. It is a sign of the shrill, partisan and selective politics we can expect in the months ahead. What surprises me most is the sheer […]
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