A wonderful day as another grandchild arrived into this world, this time a boy. Lots to get on with, not least a few phone calls, but after a busy morning, I headed to Weymouth for more campaigning. The local elections were now only a few days away.
Much work to do before a virtual meeting with Liz Ferdenzi, who is my direct contact with the migrant barge in Portland Port. We have agreed to speak regularly so I can keep up with how everything is going on board.
Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset has commended and congratulated Defence Secretary Grant Shapps for his ‘stalwart stubbornness’ in getting defence spending increased to 2.5 percent of the national income.
Another interesting day. It began with my morning jaunt under grey skies. Into the office and a quick catch-up on matters, before heading to the Thatcher Room in PCH for another session of our Defence Committee. Today was day one of our look at what is known as the 'grey zone'. What is that.
A mixed day back in the Commons, with a speech on hospice funding, a charge of spying for China against a parliamentary researcher and another man and the final stage of the controversial Rwanda Bill. It's rarely boring here.
I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings and Rye (Sally-Ann Hart) and my hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Peter Gibson)—who is sat beside me—on securing this debate, and it is a pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member for West Dorset (Chris Loder).
On a bright day, I headed to Weymouth to join Cllr Louie O'Leary and a team of members to help with some leafleting. We had a fun morning, before I went to the Community Centre to meet Ruth Mills, who is to establish a youth club evening on Tuesdays.