Monday
Start the week meeting the “Enterprise Forum” which brings together representatives from many different businesses. Always helpful to hear their views - this time they were focusing on food and drink sectors. Then to parliament where nurses from across UK have come to talk to MPs. I meet a postgraduate nursing student from Chelmsford who tells me how much she enjoys her placements at Broomfield.
Students from Thriftwood College are visiting Westminster and I pop along to hear their views. They are full of beans and tell me that they have really enjoyed being able to get right into the centre of Parliament. A quick vote on transport issues before going over to Department for Exiting EU where David Davis is telling MPs about the work ahead - clearly much still to be agreed.
Long wait until 9pm for the main vote - It’s on a new piece of law which will crack down on the “cold callers” who try encourage people to put in false claims after people have had accidents. I’ve had a lot of these calls in the past few years, some people find the calls are very distressing and I’m glad we’re taking action to stop it. I finish the day joining a group of politicians from across Europe who have come to London to discuss security issues & cyber crime.
Tuesday
Exciting morning! Quantum technology experts from all across the UK have come to Chelmsford. It’s very new sector of innovation and local company Teledyne-e2v is already a world leader. They show me some of the new products they are making and selling. We have bit of a worrying conversation about the slow down in negotiations between UK and EU on Space and Satellites - this is important for local jobs as well as for security.
Back to London read emails on the train - good news from First Buses as they promise to correct some of the timetable problems that local Councillor Jenny Chandler and I raised with the company boss. Lots of people from across Chelmsford have written to me about this.
I join a briefing on Chinese foreign policy (concerning) then meet representatives of Irish and Northern Irish business who are still worried about border issues and customs. I chair a meeting of 50 women tech entrepreneurs brainstorming about how to encourage women in tech (fabulous and full of ideas and energy). Late night finishing paperwork in office.
Wednesday
Fighting cyber crime for breakfast! This time in the City at the launch of a huge study on how to reduce financial fraud online. I was asked to give a keynote speech. Many of my constituents have faced having their savings stolen by cunning fraudsters on line. It’s good to have a chance to make a difference ... Reminder do check your passwords and antivirus software!
Back to Westminster for PMQs then off across town to join a policy discussion of leading scientists and tech companies. Back for a meeting with the Education Secretary where MPs discuss apprenticeships and T levels - NB Chelmsford is already leading in apprenticeships in many areas.
VERY late night preparing my speech for tomorrow.
Thursday
Today was meant to be a quiet day - but it turns into a super busy one. I’m drawn first for Environment questions and take the chance to ask for an update on tackling ocean plastics - there is great news that the UK supermarkets are now committing to make all plastics recyclable, but overseas action is needed too. Then join colleagues questioning Amber Rudd on the Windrush situation. I’ve been impressed by the rapid focus on sorting out the problems and I want to make sure the people affected get fair compensation.
Big afternoon, I’ve been given the chance to lead a debate on Financial Services, this is important for many jobs in Chelmsford and for many Chelmsford residents who work in London and there are also lots of consumer issues I want to raise (financial fraud, bank branch closures, and some constituency cases) It’s a big chance for me to put lots of things on the “Hansard” record, and to ask the minister for key actions. Very nervous as we’ve put a amount of work into this -but it goes OK and I hope will make a real difference for some of those most affected.
End the day with a long chat about UK/EU customs negotiations. Very complicated.
Friday
Lovely day in Chelmsford. Busy Constituency Surgery and then a visit to Springfield Hospital. The patients and staff all seem extremely happy. I am shown the new scanners and operating theatres - very impressive. Then off to meet the Civic Society. I really enjoyed their “heritage days” last autumn and they tell me they have big plans for the year ahead.
Saturday
Wonderful fundraising dinner in the Cathedral - what a beautiful scene for an evening out, and glorious music too!
Sunday
Very disappointed to have to miss the Commonwealth service in Chelmsford, bringing together children from all across Essex representing all the Commonwealth counties, with lots of singing and dancing. I sounded such fun.
...But...I’ve been asked to go back to Brussels for a day of intense meetings on Monday. I will join colleagues from the Science and Technology Select Committee, and I’ll meet politicians from across Europe. I end the week stuck in the Eurostar terminal waiting for a very delayed train and keeping my fingers crossed that the meetings tomorrow go well!