Next week could see the finale of the Brexit pantomime that has blighted our national life for two years. The House of Commons could pass the Withdrawal Agreement (Deal) on Tuesday 12th March. It could.

Recent events in British politics have shown once again how volatile democracy can be. Defections, a new political grouping which might become a party, resignations, threats ofmore defections – all fascinating for the minority of people who love political drama. 

I have been an MP for 26 years, 13 under a Labour government and 13 under a Conservative-led government. For all of that period the transport infrastructure of the south west has not received sufficient attention or investment from governments of all colours.

We have finally had the announcement we have all been waiting for.

£2 billion of Government money invested in transport infrastructure across the South West - from Gloucester to Penzance. Crucially, £80 million for the railway line at Dawlish. 

I was asked by a primary school pupil on Friday, whether I thought that the world was likely to reach the 17 Sustainable Development Goals intended to be met by 2030.

I welcome the announcement by the Secretary of State for Defence today of two new Littoral Strike Group ships joining our amphibious fleet.

On Wednesday I had the privilege of calling and leading a Westminster Hall Debate on Economic Growth in the South West.

Yesterday I led a debate on economic growth in the South West in Westminster Hall.

A number of local MPs made contributions highlighting the successes and challenges we are experiencing across the region but especially in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.

On Friday I planted two time capsules at the wonderful new Sherford Vale primary school at the new town of Sherford, one to be dug up in 7 years’ time, the other in 2038, 20 years from when the idea was conceived.

Earlier this week I met with the Chair of the Peninsula Rail Task Force (PRTF), Councillor Andrea Davis, to talk about the progress being made on sorting the railway line at Dawlish.