First Day Back

AFTER the long recess (much work locally) it felt slightly strange going back to Parliament and I wondered as I caught the bus to the Commons who I might bump into first.

It was to be the Chancellor of the Exchequer who was behind me on a staircase leading to the Chamber. We exchanged pleasantries and I took my chance to raise some issues that local businesses have been pressing upon me — not least the costs of regulation.

We had a chat at the top of the staircase before the Prime Minister commenced his statement on Libya.

'Come and see me and let's talk more,' was his final comment. These informal contacts are amongst the most valuable occasions for a Backbencher and I often take these opportunities to lobby someone to make sure that the concerns of those I represent in Parliament are heard at the highest level.

 Next stop was the Commons Library. Here you have access to an impressive research resource. A hundred and fifty people work for the library and when you submit questions they provide you with a prompt and detailed response. Their research is outstanding and to qualify a comment in the Chamber with 'according to the House of Commons Library' means you are unlikely to have your data challenged – even if the arguments that rest upon it may not always be treated with the same acceptance! I submitted some questions on the issues I plan to raise with the Chancellor when we meet.

Then it was into the Chamber for a debate on counter terrorism, a session to catch up on constituency correspondence and some further research in the Library before a vote at 10pm.

I was back on the bus at 10:30pm – when it felt like the recess had finished some while ago.