This week there was perhaps a small that we might be winding down a little for Christmas. But, even so, there was a fair share of meetings on local issues, international affairs and with some parliamentary work thrown in too.
First and foremost, I’m sure we all saw on television the first people receiving the Covid-19 vaccinations. This is a huge landmark in the fight against the pandemic. There is now real hope for a better 2021.
Closer to home, I was pleased to celebrate the winners of my Christmas card competition. Michael Zilin, aged 10, won with a brilliant picture of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Alice Martin-Murrant, 10, and Joseph and Harriet Garvey, 11 and 8, were runners up. All three amazing designs will go on the card, which will be sent to scores of people across the country, including the Prime Minister.
All the participants went to local schools and the winners and runners-up have received book vouchers.
The festive period always brings forward the Christmas charity fraudsters and scammers and I urge everyone to be on their guard if giving to good causes.
Action Fraud and the Charity Commission have been warning of fake charities looking to take advantage of people at Christmas.
We must not let the despicable behaviour of a tiny minority detract from the amazing work most charities do. Before giving to a new charity, it might be wise to check they are legitimate, which you can do here.
In Westminster, the Government reached an agreement with the EU on the precise arrangements in Northern Ireland, known as the Northern Ireland Protocol, which is separate to the trade negotiations and covers areas such as state aid rules and subsidies, as well as the travel of goods, animals and medicines between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
This is great news as it means the Withdrawal Agreement will now be implemented in full and in a way that respects both Great Britain’s union with Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland’s open border with the EU.
As a result, ministers will no longer need powers to override the Northern Ireland Protocol and so these clauses will be removed from the Internal Market Bill. I know this will be reassuring to all those who were concerned about the impact of these powers on international law.
Sadly, we have not yet reached an agreement on our future relationship with the EU. I do not want to say too much about it here, as there is still time and I know negotiators are working constantly. I very much hope that we can get a good deal, but we need to remember that the British people have voted – not just in 2016 but also in the general elections of 2017 and 2019 – to leave the EU. Honouring their votes means achieving a strong degree of independence on issues including our laws, our borders and our waters. If we cannot at this stage get agreement on those issues, then we must be prepared to walk away. Even if this happens, the door will still be open to further negotiations in future.
Sunday will mark exactly one day since I was privileged to be elected MP for Meon Valley. I could never have guessed when the results came through (ominously enough on Friday 13th!) what the next year would hold. Coronavirus has made this a year unlike any other, and I know all too well the toll it has taken on people’s health, their families and their businesses. My team and I have done everything we can to help constituents access support, from business grants to food deliveries for the vulnerable. With hundreds already vaccinated, I know that we can look forward to next year with a lot more optimism.
Have a good weekend.