Monday
Its a bank holiday - hurrah! I spend a very lazy day enjoying the sunshine.
Tuesday
Back to Westminster where it feels a bit disorientated as the Parliament is running a “Monday order paper” on a Tuesday. This means we will have votes as late as 10 pm.
I finished the details for the public meeting I’m arranging for Chelmsford rail commuters and the website goes live. The meeting is on 31 May. If you want to come then please do get in touch.
The US have just pulled out of the Iran Nuclear Deal. I’m in the House of Commons chamber as the Foreign Secretary gives an update. It’s clear that tensions in the Middle East are very serious.
The Science and Tech Committee has been doing a study into “Research Integrity”. This sounds really dull but it is important, especially for patients. We have heard from leading doctors that it is vital that the results of all medical research trials are published, even if the trial has not had a positive result. It is only in this way that researchers will be able to learn from each other. We discuss with the minister how the UK might make this happen, it would keep us at the forefront of medical research across the world.
In late votes we pass new laws to help victims of domestic abuse, especially to help them with housing issues.
Wednesday
Packed day. In Westminster I attend the launch of a new study into reducing repeat offenders and prisons, I help launch a new report on rare diseases and mental health, and I join a small group of MPs passing new powers to reduce tax evasion.
In the Commons chamber were debating the last few amendments to the data protection bill. I’ve been working on this for over five years now, and it is really good to see it finally making its way, being able to analyse big data sets has huge benefits especially in areas like medical research, but it is also so important that peoples own private data is protected.
After the data bill vote I stay in the chamber for a late evening debate on nursing students. I’m delighted to hear the minister announce that post grad nurses in key areas like mental health and disabilities will be awarded an extra £10,000 when they work for the NHS. I've been lobbying the minister about this for a while. This will really help our mature students in areas like Chelmsford where we have high quality nursing training taking place at Anglia Ruskin University but we also have a high cost of living. On the train on the way back to Chelmsford I email ARU about the news.
Thursday
Start the day giving the opening speech at a conference about student opportunities overseas. Our British universities are increasingly giving students the chance to do a term or more as a placement abroad. Young people who study, work volunteer in another country benefit from a big step-up in employment offers, even if they’ve only been abroad for just for a few months - but only 7% of British students do this. I’m very happy to support the campaign to increase the opportunities for young people.
Then over to Westminster for back to back meetings - including bringing together the “all party”group for Internet, Communications and Technology which I chair. We plan a detailed series of seminars and talks to help MPs stay on top of the issues.
End the day at the German Embassy, where they host a special dinner form women. The ladies include diplomats from all over Europe, Canada and Ukraine. The guests of honour include the two women who negotiated the treaty to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapon. Quite “a girls night in” to remember!
Friday
Early cuppa with the new head of Chelmsford Police. Very pleased to hear that the 4 new PCSOs for the City Centre are in place, our new Community Policing Hub is nearly complete and a new policing strategy is being developed for Springfield and other key areas. This will make a huge difference.
Catch up with head of Mid-Essex Clinical Commissioning Group who briefs me on situation with Sutherland Lodge GP surgery. She tells me that patient care is not threatened and updates me on actions that have been taken to improve Surgery.
Off to County Hall where City and County councillors meet to discuss the Growth Package - much of this is very welcome with new cycle paths and footpaths but many local people have told me their concerns about the proposed trial of a Bus Gate in Baddow Road. After a long discussion Essex County Council and Chelmsford City Council agree to work together to assess other options. It’s important that the congestion issue addressed but it’s also important that local residents’ views are not ignored.
Helpful meeting about increasing opportunities for Essex businesses to export to China - let me know if you want to know more!
Drive over to Sainsbury’s where a new retirement complex is being built next door. I put on a hard hat for look around. It’s impressive. I can see why so many local people have already asked about buying one of the flats.
Busy constituency surgery before popping down to a meeting at Anglia Ruskin University. The head of the Students Union has done some deep research into mental health issues for students and we have a helpful chat work on how to make some specific changes.
Saturday
My first ever annual report as an MP has come back from the printers. It looks great! I meet a team of volunteers handing them out on the High Street. It’s really good to speak to so many people.
Coffee and a catch up with local councillors. Anthony McQuiggan tells us about the community speed watch that he helped to set up. We chat about it with Cllr Mike Holloway - we wonder if residents would support the same initiative in the Patching Hall area.