Wednesday 14th July 2010

07:00 Being a Wednesday I am using the train today. I like travelling by train because it gives me the opportunity to go through the constituency post bag. Today I also have some mail that Carol wanted advice on.

08:30 I sorted out my prayer card, picked up the Order Paper and then headed straight to the Terrace Cafeteria for some breakfast, then it was up to my office for a couple of hours paperwork.

11.30 To the Chamber for prayers, Cabinet Office Questions and Prime Ministers Questions. David Cameron was competent without being brilliant.

12.30 Off to Dining Room B for lunch with the All Party Parliamentary Metal and Steel Group, of which I am a member, hosted by the British Metal Recycling Association. I particularly wanted to attend because I have a number of recycling companies in my constituency.

13.45 I had to leave my lunch before the dessert because I was part of a group of new MPs who had a meeting at 9 Downing Street with the Government Chief Whip. It was nothing sinister, no arm twisting, just some useful tips about how we can get through the next five years without going mad.

15.30 Off to Caxton House, home to the Department of Work and Pensions to join my constituent, and friend, Andrew Parr and his colleagues from the Pension Action Group for a meeting with Pensions Minister, Steve Webb. We were in the meeting room waiting for Steve to arrive when his secretary came in to apologise and say that he would be late because he had to go to the House for a division. After a few seconds it suddenly sunk in that I should be at the same division!

15:37 After legging it down Tothill Street and battling my way through the throng of tourists I arrived in the “No” division lobby with only seconds to spare before the doors were locked. I was puffing and soaked with perspiration but managed to cast my vote for the Government. I didn’t return to the meeting at the DWP because I wasn’t sure my heart would stand another half mile dash. It was just as well because there was another division not long after.

17:00 I spent a couple of hours in the Chamber listening to the debate on the European External Affairs Service. This is the totally unnecessary body that the EU pretends has not been created to eventually replace national foreign policy. I am not deceived. I hadn’t actually intended voting against the EEAS because it had already been agreed by the previous Government, however, I was so appalled when I discovered that it was going to cost Britain £1.1 million (personally I think you can multiply that by 10) to help pay for the EEAS to be set up that I simply could not support the Government. I was in a difficult position because it is the convention to tell the whips office when you intend voting against the Government and I hadn’t done that so I decided simply to abstain. In the event only 12 voted against the EEAS. I wish it had been 13.

19:00 The House adjourned I went up to my office to change out of my still damp shirt.

20:00 I attended a dinner organised by the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group. As you would expect it was well attended with plenty of excellent beer flowing. Not being much of a beer drinker (I prefer red wine) I didn’t get too excited, but it was good to catch up with Jonathon Neame on whose table I sat and who is one of my constituents.

21:50 I made my apologies and left the dinner in time to catch the 22:22 train and was home by quarter to twelve.