A very cold start to the day, which began with a refreshing run! Into the Commons and routine matters took me through to a private meeting with police minister Nick Hurd. With a debate on this issue tomorrow, he had asked if I'd wanted to see him because I have raised concerns about police funding for Dorset before. I do not think it's fair and have said so. Mr Hurd could not have been more helpful but with budgets tight there is little room for manoeuvre. Later in the afternoon, I headed to No 9 Downing Street with other colleagues to meet and chat with our Chief Whip. The meeting was in confidence. Straight back to the Commons for another meeting with the ERG group, chaired most ably by my friend and colleague Jacob Rees-Mogg. Again, this was in confidence, although it attracted quite a media scrum outside the door! We'd been dropped to a one line whip earlier as Government business was completed and we ended on a debate called by the Backbench Business Committee.