Monday, 7 October Westminster is sitting for two days this week before Parliament prorogues for the Queen’s Speech which will mark the start of the new parliamentary session next Monday. I know that my 94-year-old stepfather is not well and clear my diary for Wednesday and Thursday morning so that I will be able to travel down to Somerset to see him.
There is a lot going on in parliament with many scrutiny committees taking place. Over the past year the government has been working on making sure that the regulations which apply in the UK under EU law will still be in place after Brexit. This means a complicated legal process of taking these regulations into our own law. I sit on a committee covering details of consumer law, from animal testing to product safety standards. The committee passes all the details, but we will need to make sure that all the details are also passed as “remaining orders” in the main House of Commons chamber tonight and tomorrow otherwise the work will fall when the new session starts.
I meet with colleagues and the Chair of the Northern Ireland Select Committee. He is very concerned about the impact a no deal could have, especially if it could lead to a border poll in Northern Ireland. The Union of the United Kingdom matters to me as I believe we are all stronger together.
In the Commons Chamber MPs are questioning ministers about the new deal that the Prime Minister is seeking to agree with the EU. I am concerned as some colleagues are suggesting this deal could lead to a lowering of environmental, animal welfare and employment standards. After spending eight years as a Member of the European Parliament I know that the UK often leads the EU in these areas. I don’t believe the UK will lower these standards. I am reassured when the minister answers my question and confirms that the UK will not lower standards.
We sit late into the evening before the remaining orders are reached. They all pass through into law.
Tuesday - Friday I'm at my desk very early on Tuesday preparing for a busy day ahead with select committees and debates when my mother calls. My stepfather is much worse. He has been our stepfather for nearly 40 years and a huge part of our lives. I call the Whips who arrange to “pair” me with an MP from the opposition party so that if there is a vote we will cancel each other out. I head to Somerset arriving with my sister, brother and stepsister who have also travelled across the country.
Over the coming days the hours expand. GPs and nurses work to help manage his pain, but he is no longer drinking or eating. We take turns to make sure he is not alone, day and night. On Thursday morning after some beautiful prayers with my mother he dies, holding hands with his son and two daughters. He was a remarkable man and it is a huge hole.
I’d like to thank everyone who has sent such kind wishes at this time and all those who have helped, especially to the Mayor of Chelmsford for stepping in at the opening of the new headquarters of BLESMA, the charity which supports all serving and ex-Service men and women who have lost limbs, or lost the use of limbs or eyes, to rebuild their lives by providing rehabilitation activities and welfare support, which has moved to Chelmsford and to the team at Essex County Council who have been keeping me updated on their work on the Army and Navy. I do apologise for the meetings I have had to cancel this week and I hope to reschedule these soon.
On Saturday, after making sure my mother is OK, I head back eastwards to be ready for the State Opening of Parliament next week.
