As a Shadow Cabinet Minister with two roles – Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Cabinet Office) – I am regularly in the House of Commons for debates, speeches and questions.
Usually these follow a regular pattern which dovetails in with my work in the Brentwood and Ongar constituency. However, in the last couple of weeks, the arrests of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Lord Peter Mandelson over misconduct in public office has meant I have spent a considerable amount of time leading debates in the Chamber.
The Opposition presented a humble address to Parliament requiring the Government to disclose all documents relating to Mandelson's appointment and conduct as ambassador. Just days later, Opposition parties presented a second humble address requiring the Government to lay before this House all papers relating to the creation of the role of Special Representative for Trade and Investment and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment to that role.
The current situation in the Middle East is also of great concern – particularly to many of my constituents who travel to Dubai for work and holidays. You can read the latest travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office here - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates - on what to do if you are out there to ensure the UK Government is aware of where you are if urgent assistance is needed.
Clearly these debates have taken up a significant amount of my parliamentary time, but I have not taken my eye off the ball in what is happening in Brentwood and Ongar. I am bringing the concerns of local businesses about the impact of current Government policies on hospitality, employment and services to the attention of Ministers and am continuing to support the Endeavour Cooperative Academy through difficulties with its ongoing building project.
