Monday February 23rd: House of Commons Defence Questions, welcomed this Government's significant improvements to Armed Forces accommodation and home ownership then a productive meeting with the Foreign & Commonwealth Overseas Territories Minister on the Government's recently published feasibility study in to the resettlement of the British Indian Ocean Territory. Chagos islanders were forcibly removed from their homeland by the late 1960s Wilson administration. The world's largest community now live in Crawley.
Tuesday February 24th: Parliament: I welcome the over £57 million granted by Government for additional school places in Crawley and West Sussex. Then a meeting with the CEO of Siemens Rail discussing the new Three Bridges Thameslink Maintenance Depot which will create 300 jobs. Then in the evening I’m honoured to receive the Parliamentary Beer Award for supporting Great Britain's pubs and scrapping Labour's beer duty escalator - cheers!
Wednesday February 25th: Pleased to meet Macmillan Cancer Support patients and clinical staff in the House of Commons. The added assistance provided is so meaningful.
Thursday February 26th: I attend a great book launch at Waterstone's in The Marletts with local author Eve Ainsworth and her teen novel Seven Days. Afterwards on to St Wilfrid’s School to see the students wonderful production of The Government Inspector.
Friday February 27th: At Moka as patron of the Crawley & Gatwick Business Watch to launch with Sussex Police awareness of signs of extremism and response to active shooter incidents.
Saturday February 28th: Support the official opening with the West Sussex High Sheriff of the new 2nd Ifield Scouts building this afternoon. Congratulations to all the hard working volunteers. In the evening I’m grateful of the Crawley Tamil Learning Centre for inviting me to their children’s celebration performance.
Sunday March 1st: With some time off I take my kids to Go Ape in Tilgate Park, which they highly recommend!