It is a genuine pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon). I also congratulate my new colleague, my hon. Friend the Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (John Lamont), on his excellent maiden speech. Well done; brilliant!
I had put in to speak on the Queen's Speech today, but my chance was delayed due to two Statements - the Grenfell Tower fire and terrorism - and Business Questions. I attended the first Statement, where.
The delayed State Opening of Parliament was held today rather than Monday. The Queen arrived by car rather than carriage and Prince Charles stood in for the Duke, who was in hospital. Security was tight as Far Left activists had promised a 'day of rage'.
The House is not sitting today as the State Opening of Parliament was postponed until tomorrow. However, the shock and horror following the horrific Grenfell Tower fire continues.
Another senseless attack on innocent people last night, this time against British Muslims near their place of worship. The attacker drove a van into a crowd of people in Finsbury Park, killing one and injuring 10 people.
This morning, our country woke to news of another terrorist attack on the streets of our capital city: the second this month and every bit as sickening as those which have come before.
THE terrible Grenfell Tower fire in West London still smoulders on as I write.
My heart goes out to the shattered survivors, many of whom have lost everything.
The death toll is mounting and the numbers of those still missing suggest an unthinkable, final count.
We heard the general election result in S Dorset at about 0415, if I recall. We had held, gaining 56.1 per cent share of the vote, up on 2015. The turnout was high at 68.7 per cent. My majority now stands at 11,695.
