This has been the final sitting week of the Summer Parliamentary Term and although business was predictably light there were some important statements, including from the Foreign Secretary on Gaza and more locally the compensation scheme for people affected by the contaminated blood scandal.
I am very conscious there has still be no word on criminal prosecutions against those who carried out experiments on haemophiliac pupils at Treloar College in Alton. The victims are pressing for prosecutions, they are very clear that no consent was ever asked for or granted, and they are wholly understandably very angry.
The situation in Gaza continues to horrify the vast majority of people across the world, including in this constituency. Although I could not be in the House for the statement, for personal reasons, I have separately written to the Foreign Secretary urging him to keep pressure on the Israeli Government. We cannot ignore the targeting of aid stations and convoys and the deaths of innocent Palestinian people. Like everyone else I wish to see the remaining hostages returned, but this war must end. I was pleased the UK joined 27 other countries in condemning Israel's actions, the dangerous aid delivery model, and the drip feeding of aid to starving people.
On a happier note, the opening of the new clubhouse at Broughton Sports Field last weekend was fantastic. It is such an amazing building, with a very beautiful bar which I hope (like the sports ground itself) will be well used. A huge privilege to be there at the official ribbon cutting and to see so many very happy residents who had all worked hard to make it happen.
This week it has been a Q&A with Romsey WI on Wednesday, a trip to the community engagement event in Weyhill on Thursday and Nomads in the evening and I am off to the Game Fair on Friday, recess is no less busy, it is just different. But I would like to sign off this week with a massive thank you to the Romsey Male Voice Choir. They have long been my favourites but they pulled out all the stops on Tuesday. If I am invited to their next concert then I suspect the after glow drinks may have to be on me.
