While COVID has stolen the headlines for weeks now, and understandably so, negotiations with the EU continue. I was delighted to hear the Labour leader say we should not extend beyond the end of December recently. That's a change from the dishonourable position he adopted for more than three years during the Brexit saga, when the people voted one way and he spent his time trying to counter it. I suspect he has now seen the plight of the EU, which is heading over the cliff financially, and decided that we are far better off as an independent trading nation. He's right. First meeting was a conference call with Dorset Council and parliamentary colleagues. The council decided not to open its car parks this weekend in the hope it will deter thousands of visitors descending on our beauty spots, only to find everything is shut. We shall see. Good news. The council now has the discretion to direct a pretty large sum of money to businesses meeting a new set of criteria. And officials were aware of a planned, nationwide demonstration against the lock-down on Saturday. A run through many issues with my parliamentary team followed and then I dialled into a call to the PM at 1300. I was one of the fortunate 120 colleagues who got in and was further rewarded when Sir Graham Brady called me to ask my question. This meeting was in confidence and that was expressed at the start, but that did not prevent a handful of shameless colleagues bleating to the press afterwards, as they always do. The Telegraph was on to me, which no doubt was to do with my question. At 1430 I had another conference call, this time with Jim Stewart, the LEP chairman, and his No 1, Lorna. We chatted about many county matters, not least the need for better road and rail infrastructure and of course the effect this virus is having on business. Nationally, the row with teachers' unions continues. They claim it's not safe to return to school, which is causing widespread anger. The Mayor of London has not helped his image, either, by announcing the reintroduction of a higher congestion charge on Monday. This when the Government is advising everyone NOT to use public transport. You really could not make it up. The weekend approaches. Let's hope we are not invaded!