Monday 

It’s the first of three days when we debate and vote on the grandly titled, Committee of the Whole House of the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) or Article 50 as it is better known.

The debate revolves around a number of amendment, clauses and the article itself.

At different stages the proposer can decide if they wish to push it to a vote.

Today we are voting at around midnight, so it’s a long day. If we sit after 11pm I am allowed a taxi home, but after being stuck in the chamber for so long, I am happy to walk in the crisp cold evening. I get home about 1.15am. 
 
TUESDAY 

The alarm goes at 7.30am. My Select Committee is taking evidence from the permanent secretaries for Health, DWP and Defence.

We are investigating the relationship between the permanent secretaries, who are civil servants, and the Secretary of States that they serve.

In all honesty if you have ever watched ‘Yes Minister’ it is just like that. If you haven’t I suggest you do. It’s day two of the Committee of the Whole House of the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal).

Before then I attend a briefing on ‘The Tidal Stream Industry.’ It’s a refreshing and optimistic view from industry experts outlining the incredible possibilities of the industry.

We live in hope. It’s another late one in the chamber with votes at the end. 
 
WEDNESDAY  

A 9am start with a gathering of the all-party parliamentary group for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). We consider a new report that we commissioned. ‘Security not Trident’.

Sometimes amidst the cynicism of politics, it is good to take an hour or so and talk with people who believe in better and radiate positivity.

Caroline Lucas (Green MP) and Kate Hudson (General Secretary of CND) tick that box. So I leave energised, which is just as well, because day three of the Committee of the Whole House of the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) will end with nine votes. Nine votes at Westminster takes over two hours. 

By the end, the UK is well on its way out of the European Union and with it the single market. 

There is an impromptu rendition of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy (EU anthem) but the deputy speaker, who has not had his best week, is not impressed and demands we stop. 

It’s a shame, because the Austrian diplomats, who were watching from the gallery, seemed to enjoy it.  
 
THURSDAY  

I am in for culture questions and then a debate on Palestinian settlements. The conflict between Israel and Palestine is complicated and volatile.

It has been a running sore for over 50 years and not surprisingly it’s not going to get resolved by a debate in Westminster. 

A lot of people get to enjoy the sounds of their own voices tinged with self-righteous indignation and I learn a few new facts. Off to Gatwick for the 7.25pm flight (delayed) and home at 10.30pm. 

FRIDAY 

The day starts with a meeting with DWP staff to discuss the closure of the Port Glasgow jobcentre.

A poorly conceived money saving exercise by politicians that have never seen the inside of a job centre will only mean that the staff’s job is more difficult and service users are put under a greater strain. 

This is followed by a meeting at River Clyde Homes and a visit to Notre Dame High School. Time for a catch up with CMAL before meeting constituents back at my office. 

On Saturday I am talking in Helensburgh at a CND conference ‘Life After Trident’. That’s life after we scrap it. If it’s used, there is no life after.