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April 2023 April 2023
NEWS FROM WESTMINSTER
FIRST THURSDAY CLUB

One of the things I most enjoy about being an MP is (AUTUMN LEAVES)
meeting school students – they always have great
questions about the role of an MP. Some questions We had over fifty people at our March
come up frequently, often including asking about the meeting. They just kept coming. They were
rules for MPs in the Chamber of the House of not disappointed with Simon Goddard’s
Commons, and why MPs aren’t in the Chamber all presentation. He goes out at all times and in
the time listening to debates. I am also asked about all weathers. Simons runs and roams from Bere
the balance of my role between being a local MP, Down, Briantspuddle and Milborne St Andrew.
and being a Government Minster. Secondary school There were quiet pictures some taken of the empty Bypass during the pandemic.
students are far more likely to have seen my name in The pictures are taken on an I phone and in portrait format. We were treated to
the news from my work as Solicitor General, so they stunning pictures of remote fields, woods, fields, lines of crops, cress beds clouds
sometimes presume that my constituency work has ended – which is far from the and animals all on our doorstep. For a change in mood there were black and
case!
white shots of the derelict site at Rowlands Wait (Now Rochester Park) It is a real
Whenever I am asked why the Chamber shame to see the old unused shower block and wrecked glamping tents.
of the House of Commons is not always
packed, I explain that there is a great deal For those of us who cannot walk far it was an opportunity to get off the road and
of Government work going on that is in see what fabulous countryside we live in.
other parts of the Palace of Westminster. Next month 6 April we
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There are debates in Westminster Hall; All have Phil Morgan and Ian
Party Parliamentary Groups; Bill Ventham giving us a talk
Committees; and Select Committees to on ups and downs of
name but a few. I recently appeared keeping Bees locally.
before the Justice Select Committee, to Bees are important not
answer questions about the work of the only for honey but for
Attorney General’s Office. Select producing crops and fruit.
Committees hold the Government to Please come along to the
account, and are an important part of the Scout hut 2.30 p.m cost
scrutiny of our work. MPs from several £3.00 to include tea and
parties asked the Attorney General and your raffle ticket.
me a wide range of questions including on sentencing guidelines, the funding of
th
the Serious Fraud Office and the work of the Crown Prosecution Service. Looking ahead to 4 May
we are being treated to a
People also often presume talk by Josie Belasco on
that the only way MPs can Dorset legends and landmarks. Josie is adding some royal stories to her talk as we
ask questions of Government are having a Coronation tea so put this event in your diary as well .
Ministers is by standing up on
the floor of the House (Oral
Parliamentary Questions). In
fact, there are numerous
o t h e r w a y s . Wr i t te n When you respond to advertisers, do please tell them you saw their
Parliamentary Questions are advert in this magazine - it helps them monitor the effectiveness of
a very effective way of
their advert and helps us generate more advertising revenue!!

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