Tuesday 6th July 2010

05:50 Another early start but today I thought I would try the Dartford Crossing and the A13. For a while I thought I had made the right decision; OK, so there was a bit of congestion through Dagenham and Barking, but overall the journey was pretty smooth until I had a brainstorm and turned into the Rotherhythe Tunnel. Not a good move because before long I was stuck in nose-to-tail South London traffic. In the event it was yet another 08:15 arrival at the House.

08:30 After claiming my seat for the day with a prayer card I was just in time for a breakfast meeting with the British Retail Consortium where I raised a number of issues of concern to my local independent retailers, including the way that the supermarket chains are muscling more and more into non-food related business.

10:00 My next stop was Committee Room 12 for a meeting of the Identity Documents Bill Committee. Business was transacted fairly smoothly with the only real debate taking place about the Labour Opposition‘s proposal to allow a £30 discount off the cost of a passport for holders of a National ID Card. Unfortunately, they hadn’t thought it through because their amendment would have entitled over 2000 holders of the ID Card who work at Manchester Airport a discount, even though those people were given their Card free of charge! The proposal was easily defeated and the rest of the meeting was largely uneventful. I enjoyed the committee work, but I have so much else to do that I am pleased this is the last session.

14:30 Prayers followed by Foreign Office questions. I had a question on the Order Paper asking what was the Government’s assessment of enlargement to the European Union. I followed with a supplementary suggesting that rather than encourage enlargement the Government ought to consider reducing the size of the EU by holding a referendum of the British people to decide whether we should still remain members. My question drew a few “oohs” and “aahs”.

15,30 Today the Secretary of State for Education made a statement about the Building Schools for the Future programme, which has been wasting taxpayers’ money hand over fist. Michael has decided to scrap or “review” over 700 projects, including at Borden Grammar School, Fulston Manor, Sittingbourne Communioty College, The Isle of Sheppey Academy and Westlands School.

16:00 I dashed off to my office to immediately write to the heads of the mainland schools and asked them to let me know if they believe there are special circumstances that should be taken into consideration and which time I am happy to make representations on their behalf. I then wrote to Michael Gove to ask him to ensure any review of the Sheppey Academy is undertaken as a matter of urgency and then spelt out why I believe the building work must proceed.

17:15 After grabbing a quick meal I went back to my office to tackle yet more paperwork and listen to the debate that was taking place on the Second Reading of the Finance Bill.

21:50 I visited the Chamber fully expecting a 10:00pm finish to the debate and divisions, only to discover that because it was a Finance Bill the debate was open ended. I sat and listened to one Labour member who spoke for over an hour. It became obvious that Labour members were trying to wear down those of us on the Government benches. I decided to head back to my office and get on with some more work. Many of my colleagues were not so diligent and subsequent reports revealed that a number of them had one too many drinks on the Terrace. It was going to be a long night!