Saturday November 14th: Visited the front line against ISIL/Daesh south of Kurkuk, Iraq, with the Commander of Peshmerga forces. The soldiers on the ground told me they’re grateful for the support of RAF air cover in helping them combat terror and extremism.
My thoughts are with the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris – the threat is not limited to Iraq and Syria.
Sunday November 15th: Back from the front against ISIL/Daesh front to meet the Iraqi Kurdistani Prime Minister.
Monday November 16th: Returned to the UK and went straight to Westminster. In the Commons, the Home Secretary joined me in praising Sussex Police officers at Gatwick Airport following the security alert on Saturday.
Welcomed the Government’s announced of new funding for intelligence agencies to provide for an additional 1,900 officers – an increase of 15 per cent – at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ.
Tuesday November 17th: House of Commons: Updated the Prime Minister on my trip to Iraq.
Grateful to the Homes & Communities Agency for taking the time to meet with me about providing extra housing in Crawley for locals.
Wednesday November 18th: Met with the Home Secretary to discuss the security situation at Gatwick and other issues raised by Crawley residents.
Praised Central Sussex College in Parliament. They’re expanding their STEM subjects facility which I was pleased to visit earlier this month.
Met with Bowel Cancer UK in Westminster, insightful to hear from clinicians and patients.
Thursday November 19th: This week is Parliament Week, where young people and schools are encouraged discover more about our democracy. I cherish the responsibility of helping inform Crawley pupils about how our parliamentary system works.
Pleased to commend Bloodwise, the UK’s biggest blood cancer charity, in the House of Commons. I lost my own Mother to acute myeloid leukaemia; this is a cause close to my heart.
Friday November 20th: Productive meeting of the Young Crawley steering group – always a pleasure to support the Springboard Project which helps young people in Crawley and elsewhere in West Sussex.