Parliament went into summer recess this week, meaning an end to legislation, debates and questions until it returns in September. I think it is important for MPs to get out of Westminster, where everything always seems to move at a million miles per hour, clear their heads and recharge their batteries. This is by no means a holiday, however. Most MPs, myself included, will be back in their constituencies focussing on local projects and helping their constituents. It will also be a good chance to do some more detailed reading on a variety of policy areas in preparation for the bills coming up in the next session.
At the start of this week, we debated and passed the Trade Bill through the Commons. This is an important bill, but sadly there has been a lot of misinformation flying around about it this week. The main thing to know about the Trade Bill is that it is not about making future trade deals, with the USA or anyone else. The principle purpose of the Bill is that it acts as enabling legislation that will let us roll over many of the existing trade deals that we only currently have through our EU membership. This means it is about deals that we are already party to – not making new ones.
For this reason, it was not the right place for amendments protecting the NHS or food, animal welfare and environmental standards. Firstly, as I have said the Bill was about existing agreements. Secondly, the Government has been clear very many times that the NHS and our standards will be protected in any future deals. Thirdly, all our existing EU standards have been brought over to UK law already, meaning that primary legislation – not simply a trade deal – would be required to water anything down. This means MPs would get scrutiny and a vote over any attempt at this kind of change. I cannot see any MP from any party voting to sell off the NHS or lower our much-prized high standards any time soon!
I was pleased on Tuesday to have several opportunities to speak in the Chamber. During the urgent question on intelligence and security in the wake of the Russia Report, I praised the amazing work our security forces around the world and pressed the Government to ensure that they have the resources they need. This is an issue close to my heart as my father served in both the Army and the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), so I know just how important and life-threatening the work can be. You can watch my question and the response on my Facebook page here.
I also asked what the Government could do to help stop the deeply worrying growth of Daesh in Yemen, who are using its ports to engage in smuggling on the Red Sea. Yemen has been through a great deal of misery in the last five years due to the civil war – the absolute last thing its long-suffering people need is to see it become a permanent base for Daesh. The question and response are on Hansard here. Finally, I spoke in support of my colleague Angela Richardson in her bid to promote a rail link from Guildford to Heathrow, something that would be of great benefit to the people and businesses of Meon Valley. You can read the whole debate on Hansard here.
Today I was out in Owslebury with local Councillor Laurence Ruffell, meeting residents and exploring the village’s first Scarecrow Trail, followed by a wonderful lunch at The Ship Inn. Would heartily recommend both! The Trail, which is running over the weekend, is well worth a visit with the family to find and identify the colourful cast of themed scarecrows. They do say politicians love a straw man! Whatever your plans, I hope you have a safe and enjoyable weekend.
