The sun was shining so there was no reason not to hop on the motorbike to head to Weymouth for a branch meeting of our supporters. They'd kindly invited me to speak, which I was more than happy to do. It was well attended and we covered many topics. Afterwards, I headed across to Littlemoor Community Centre to officially open the restored garden there. The success of this improvement was largely down to my colleague and friend Cllr Richard Nickinson. Some companies working at the new Gateway retail park had asked what they could give back to the community and Richard cleverly suggested they restore a rather messy part of the garden at the back of the Centre. So, that's what they did and Simon Box, from Mildrens, was at the Centre, along with three of his daughters, to see the ribbon cutting. Dear Gill Paterson, who has done so much for Littlemoor, was also there, along with her team of supporters, all of whom are very special. Other businesses that have donated materials are G Crook & Sons, Doonans and MKM Building Supplies. They all got a mention in my short speech. After everyone had gone, I sat down and chatted to Gill and team in glorious sunshine. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss revealed she wants to see Ukraine’s neighbour Moldova “equipped to Nato standard” to guard it against potential Russian aggression. The war in Ukraine can only be resolved through "diplomacy", President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Australia elected its first Labour government in almost a decade. Anthony Albanese became the Prime Minister, ousting Scott Morrison's coalition. Interestingly, nine of America's most senior lawmakers travelled to the UK on a special mission - backed by President Joe Biden - to urge the UK government not to rip up parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol. Wonder where that will take us. As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith called for benefits to be immediately increased in line with inflation to help the poorest cope with the cost of living. I am not sure this has been costed. And, finally, the much-anticipated final report on parties in Downing Street looks likely to be published next week.
