Not an easy day! I discovered that I was 99 out of 112 on the list to speak in today's debate on the new tiered system for England. So, initially, I was resigned to the fact that my preparation yesterday was a waste of time. However, a simple maths exercise, based on three minute speeches, gave me hope and I calculated that I might just get in. The day began with a virtual meeting of our small group of colleagues to discuss what lay ahead. Our leader had organised a private zoom meeting with the PM at 1430, which was quite a coup. This unfortunately clashed with our weekly Defence Select Committee, so I warned the clerk that I might be late joining, although I did attend the private pre-meeting. Our meeting with the PM was strictly confidential, so there's no more to be said. Back to the office to work through to 1800 when it became apparent I really might get called to speak. Into the Chamber and I got in by a whisker. I was the last MP to be called before wind-ups. My speech is on the website. Understandably, some pressure had been applied to colleagues not to vote 'no' and the PM, Chief Whip and Health Secretary stood near the entrance of the 'no' lobby to dissuade the weak-hearted. I'm afraid I was not for turning, nor were many other colleagues. This vote was not about undermining the PM, but more about trying to shake the Executive to rethink its strategy. And, as backbenchers, it is our job to vote with our consciences, which do not always align with Government policy. Such is politics. As it happened, the tougher tier system of coronavirus restrictions for England was approved by 291 votes to 78, although 55 of my colleagues disagreed and Labour abstained - I was astonished. The new system will see more than 55 million people in the country placed into the top two strictest tiers. As if we did not need any more bad economic news, Debenhams stores are set to close after the failure of last-ditch efforts to rescue the ailing store chain. It means all 12,000 employees are likely to lose their jobs when the chain's 124 shops cease trading. This will be crushing news for my constituents who work in the Weymouth store. Only a short term earlier, we learnt that Topshop owner Arcadia fell into administration, putting 13,000 jobs at risk. Debenhams itself had been in administration since April. Hopes of a rescue were crushed after the last remaining bidder, JD Sports, withdrew. A final bit of good news. Relatives of people living in care homes in England will be able to visit over Christmas if they test negative for Covid-19. More than a million coronavirus tests will be sent to care homes over the next month to allow safe indoor visits. Visits can happen across all tiers of coronavirus restrictions, starting from tomorrow. The Health Secretary said the move was possible due to "unprecedented strides" in testing technology and capacity. What a day!