Last weekend was a fabulous opportunity to be out and about in the constituency enjoying the run up to Christmas. The Abbey had their annual Christmas Fayre, and there were similar events in Wellow, Charlton and Wherwell. I also attended the Appleshaw Christmas Lights switch on and the Santa Dash. Last year I managed to run it, but this year thought better of that given I had a stinking cold.
It was a long week last week in Westminster, with the first sitting Friday of the session and we have another one this week. That means most surgery appointments have either been on the phone or zoom, but I find that just means I can squeeze more appointments in.
As readers will know, the Assisted Dying Bill introduced by Kim Leadbeater passed Second Reading last Friday and will now go into the Committee Stage, although I gather that will not start until April. The Committee will be able to take both written and oral evidence and I know that Members on both sides of the debate who serve on that Committee will take their responsibilities very seriously indeed.
Other Private Members Bills on the horizon include one on fireworks brought forward by Sarah Owens MP, which is certainly generating a large number of emails. But this Friday we have a PMB brought forward by Jim Allister of the UUP on the European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements). It seems a long time ago that we last debated withdrawal from the EU, so I am sure that will be an interesting way to spend a Friday in the run up to Christmas.
This weekend I am looking forward to the Pirates of Penzance at the Plaza, the Romsey Christmas Markets, George's Trust Christmas Concert and getting my own tree up. I managed to put the outside lights up weeks ago, but can't get the timer to work, so might have to invest some time and energy in sorting out my own Christmas preparations. Meanwhile, although the formal Romsey Christmas lights switch on couldn't happen because of Storm Bert, the town looks absolutely fantastic and the perfect place to get some Christmas shopping done.
