Monday

After a flight that had to abandon its landing because of high winds and a journey that felt like being inside a tumble dryer, I was glad to land, even if I was late. Better late than never. A quick shuffle of my diary meant back to back meetings on Zoom, including a catch up with all the stakeholders regarding the flooding issues on Kilmacolm Road. Progress has been made since the last flood and better water management is in place. In the chamber we had Home Office questions followed by a statement on Israel and Iran. This is on the back of Iran launching missiles at Israel in reprisal for Israel bombing the Iranian embassy in Damascus. At 20:37 we started voting on the Safety of Rwanda Bill. There were six votes, the government won them all and the last one started at 21:44.

Tuesday

Unusually my select committee was scheduled for the afternoon and so I used the morning to prepare and attend a briefing from ‘Independent Age’ on pensioner poverty. Fifteen per cent of pensioners in Scotland are living in poverty. This rises to nineteen per cent in London, twenty per cent in Yorkshire and its sixteen per cent in Wales. My select committee took evidence from Jayne Brady, head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Andrew Goodall, permanent Secretary Welsh government and John-Paul Marks, permanent Secretary, Scottish Government. The subject matter was the Devolution Capability in Whitehall. During the session John-Paul marks stated that the Conservative government has flouted key devolution rules eleven times in six years.

Wednesday

At Prime Minister’s Questions the PM savaged the leader of the Opposition's first question which was a lame attempt at humour and he never recovered. He spent the next five questions on the back foot with the Conservative backbenches shouting and laughing at him throughout. During the urgent question on the humanitarian situation in Gaza I asked the government minister why he will not stop the export of components for the F35 bombers that Israel is using to reduce Gaza to dust. I cited the example of the Rolls Royce workers that refused to make parts for the Chilean air force during Pinochet’s reign. There were four votes on Lord’s amendments to the obnoxious Rwanda bill. The government won them all and at the close of day there were two votes on the finance bill. By that time Labour MPs had given up and gone home. I caught the 21:50 flight home from Heathrow.

Thursday

I was out and about in the April showers delivering my parliamentary newsletter to households in Inverclyde. This always affords me the opportunity to talk with folk and most importantly listen to the issues that concern them. In the evening, I attended the civic reception in the municipal buildings to mark the 150th anniversary of Greenock Wanderers Rugby Football Club. It’s fair to say that over that time the club has evolved. Today along with the men’s teams, they have women’s teams and a large junior section that is developing the next batch of senior players. It’s a long way from the rugby image of privilege and private schools, thankfully. The Wanderers is a real community-orientated club.

Friday

I was out and about in Wemyss Bay talking to all and sundry in the morning. In the afternoon, I met up with some of the local WASPI women. On the back of the ombudsman’s report, we are hoping to see financial compensation soon.