Thursday 8th July 2010

06:30 I start the day at my constituency office, where I exchange post bags and reach Sittingbourne station in time for the 07:00 train. Whilst waiting for my Victoria train there is an announcement that the 07:06 Cannon Street train has been cancelled, although no explanation as to why the cancellation happened. Is it any wonder that my fellow commuters on the North Kent line are up in arms (more about this another time).

08:30 Arrive in my office after sorting out my prayer card and open the post. My part time secretary, Jessica, is only in on a Monday and a Wednesday and I have been looking for somebody to fill in the gaps and I think we have found just the person. Jessica interviewed her yesterday (she was happy) and it is my turn today.

09:30 I have a meeting with Carol-Anne Freeman and agree immediately with the assessment that Jessica made. Carol will suit us nicely! She currently works part time for Iain Duncan Smith and is based in an office on the same corridor, so coming to work for me suits us all. I complete the IPSA forms and submit them.

10:30 Prayers followed by Business, Industry and Skills Questions. The first question was about what plans the Government had to encourage business in the North West. I managed to catch the Speaker’s eye and launched into a supplementary question drawing the ministers attention to the fact that some constituencies in the South East have similar economic problems to elsewhere in the country and was about to invite the minister to visit Sittingbourne and Sheppey to see one such constituency when i was politiely slapped down by the Speaker. I know how David felt yesterday! Still, I managed to get my underlying message across!

11:30 Thursdays are also the day when questions can be asked of the Leader of the House, which can be pretty wide ranging and I usually like to sit in on the session, however, today I have received another letter from The Manchester College (TMC) and several emails from offender educators and I am keen to work on my response. One of the emails was from the University and College Union, thanking me for my efforts and letting me know that TMC have agreed to re-open talks. I am delighted and hope that this is a step forward. Another positive is that TMC have agreed to meet me to discuss other concerns that I have about the OLASS 3 contract. Much to do.

15:00 My letter to Michael Gove about the Isle of Sheppey Academy has prompted interest from Channel 4 and I meet their reporter, Cathy Newman, on the green opposite their studios at 4 Millbank, to be interviewed. I explained about the unique nature of my appeal on behalf of the Academy, which is intrinsically linked to the reorganisation of education on the Island, but I refused to be drawn on the wider aspects of the cancellation of the BSF programme.

16:00 Back to Portcullis House just in time for a meeting with Harry Fletcher from the National Association of Probation Officers. Harry is a member of the Justice Unions Parliamentary Group of which i am also a member. We share similar views about the incorporation of NAPO into the National Offenders Management System set up by Jack Straw. My view is that probation has more to do with dealing with offenders after then leave prison, so it would make more sense to put the probation service back under the umbrella of the Home Office, rather than Justice where it is now.

18:00 Get away early tonight and I am home in time to eat with Louise, a rare treat!