As we head towards Christmas this week, I am looking forward
to having some time off after a hectic election campaign that was followed
immediately by a busy but productive week in Parliament.
Christmas to me is not just about remembering the birth of
Jesus Christ but also taking that time to spend with our friends and families
to reflect on the year passed and the future.
As always I pay tribute to those who work during the
festive, whether those in our armed forces, keeping us safe and protecting our
national interests overseas, in our emergency services or in the NHS and care
sectors, and those who work in hospitality. Whilst most of us will enjoy a
break from work in the coming week let us not forget that there are many for
who this is a very busy time of year.
Looking back to last week, the first week back in Parliament
following a General Election is always an interesting one. I was pleased to
welcome over 100 new Conservative colleagues to Westminster, including
neighbouring Truro and Falmouth MP Cherilyn Mackrory, who until recently worked
for me in my constituency office in St Austell and as the Cornwall Councillor
for St Mewan.
The mood in Parliament last week was tangibly different to how
it has been for much of the previous year. There was a sense of positivity
about the place after the past two years or more of deadlock and dither. It is
great to be part of a Government that has a clear majority and a big mandate to
get things done.
I have already been sworn in as MP for St Austell and
Newquay for the third time. This is one of the solemn traditions of Parliament
which means I can now officially do my duty as a Member and speak in the House
of Commons Chamber and, most importantly vote.
On Friday we started the progress of the Withdrawal
Agreement through Parliament. This is the first step to ‘Getting Brexit Done’
and will path the way for us to leave the EU at the end of next month. This was
clearly the key issue in the General Election, and I am sure the vast majority
of people will welcome this decisive step that allows us as a country to move
on from the endless debate. It will settle the issue, we will have left and the
focus will now move onto our future relationship with the EU and trade deals
with other nations.
It certainly is a monumental time to be in Parliament and I
am looking forward to getting on with the job in 2020 and beyond.
My office is closed from midday on 23 December, reopening on
6 January, and I will shortly be publishing surgery schedule for the first part
of the coming year. Check my website www.stevedouble.org.uk
for more details.
May I take this opportunity to wish all readers a Merry
Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year!
