With the mother-in-law over from Norway, Christmas has started! But I was not prevented from heading out into the park first thing and then into the Commons. There was a fair bit to do to follow up on my visit to Alexander Blackman, not least speak to the Justice Secretary and Lord Burnett. PMQs came round at midday horribly fast and with Question 2 in my name I needed to seated and ready. The Prime Minister was in flying form, armed with the latest unemployment figures and full of bounce. Poor Mr Miliband didn't have a chance and he was clobbered one way and the other before he sat down in a dejected heap. By the time I was called straight after this jousting match, the Commons was in uproar, and the Speaker had to bring the House to order with the words: "The Member for South Dorset must be heard", which caused much hilarity. Much to Mr Cameron's surprise, I was on message, praising the "long term economic plan" and hoping that as the ship was turning perhaps he could reassure the House that our armed forces would be cut no further by any future Conservative or coalition government. Mr Cameron dodged the question, but I made my point. I then had an entertaining lunch with my office team before heading backto my office to ply through piles of work before the Christmas break. I also wrote this week's column, to be published on Friday. The last vote was at 1900 but I worked on till 2200 and then home.