Monday was spent in Finchley, as was Tuesday morning, working on constituency issues and casework. I returned to the Commons on Tuesday afternoon and later headed over to No 10 for a meeting on next year’s local elections.
First thing on Wednesday I met with representatives from the airline industry to discuss Airline Passenger Duty, which remains the issue I have been contacted about most since being elected in 2010! The State Opening of Parliament then began at around 11. This marks the formal beginning of the Parliamentary Session with the Queen setting out the agenda for the coming debates. The speech touched on a wide range of issues, including reforms to the banking system, immigration controls, pensions, consumer rights and the economy generally. Many constituents have contacted me about these issues and I look forward to examining the Government’s plans in greater detail. The House of Commons sat until 10pm that evening so I returned home after.
On Thursday I discussed the political situation in Cyprus with their leader of the opposition. Many Cypriot constituents have contacted me over recent events so I am keen to keep as well briefed as possible. That evening I spoke at the AGM of the local AJEX branch (Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women) on Lady Thatcher’s legacy and the situation in the Middle East. I fielded questions afterwards on a range of topics.
As is customary for a Friday, I spent the majority of the day in the constituency. I was out in East Finchley in the morning for my mobile surgery. I spoke to a number of residents, predominantly on local issues, but also on the Government’s agenda more broadly. Later on I returned to the Commons to host a visit by the Barnet Elderly Asians Group.
Tomorrow I will be holding further Mobile Surgeries. First I will be in Finchley Central (09:30 – 11:00) where I usually park outside Tesco on Ballards Lane. Later I will be heading to Fallowfields Drive in North Finchley (11:30-12:30). On Sunday I have arranged to meet local party members in Finchley.
As ever, if I can be of any assistance on any issue, please do not hesitate to get in touch.