May I start by wishing everyone a Happy Easter. Whether it is, in itself, a source of inspiration and joy as it is to many or simply a time to relax with family and friends it comes at a time of year when renewal and spring is in the air!
It certainly was at the Mannings Heath Flower Show with entrants back over pre-pandemic numbers. Billingshurst staged their annual impressive get-together of Village societies – there are for example 240 scouts and guides in Billingshurst and the prospect of a further 207 if enough adult volunteers step forward! On Sunday a strong cohort of teams young and old, raised funds for the Samaritans through the Lions’ “Swimarathon” and the Armed Forces Breakfast Club met in Warnham Barn.
All these events (and others) I love as a way to chat to residents – and as down time from the intensity of work in Westminster!
I am pushing for change in areas that deeply impact local people and would also improve the lives of tens of thousands. This includes securing research into Lobular Breast Cancer where we met the Science Minister (and my constituency neighbour!) Andrew Griffith for a productive session this week.
It was good to see media follow-up on the debate I called on disabled childrens’ access to their Child Trust Funds. We are keen to keep the Department focussed on securing easier access to their savings.
As well as local activities and national campaigns, as an MP we must also find time to focus on the bigger picture issues that matter to every single one of us.
There is a desperate “hot” war ongoing in Europe and massive Russian rearmament; a threat from China (of which we heard more this week) and Iranian proxies attacking civilian shipping in the Red Sea.
Against that backdrop in the last week I held a debate on Defence in the Commons, spoke about my Committee’s recent Report on Newsnight, and quizzed both the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary at separate Select Committee outings.
There is always much to do but on both the national campaigns and in helping ensure we are taking really difficult decisions after thorough consideration its great to feel that there is progress!