Parliament has been all about Brexit this week.
The last two days have been a marathon session, with the Government determined to ensure the Referendum result is respected and that Brexit is delivered – despite the best efforts of the unelected Lords and the Labour Party’s muddled attempts to frustrate the process and go against the result.
We voted on amendment after amendment put forward by the Lords and opposition until late.
However, we now have a way forward and will send our legislation back to the Lords – who need to understand this process must be completed as it is the will of the people.
I took part in the Friends of Lytham Library and Institute march in Lytham on Saturday, and it was great to see so many people, young and old, calling for the library to be restored in its original home.
We all know we’re getting our library back, but we want to see it back in Lytham Institute, in a community hub, supported by a commercial partner to help reduce costs for all involved.
I believe the county council officers’ report was incorrect in areas, and I wrote to all the cabinet members involved before the decision, setting out my objections. I also sent them letters and emails from close to 30 constituents in support of the library returning to the Institute.
I await the decision of the county authority with interest.
I also visited St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Lea Town on Friday to congratulate the pupils there on a magnificent project to reduce plastic waste.
They approached Preston Council who supplied them with an extra plastic recycling bin – now covered in recycling posters made by the pupils - and they are urging their families to cut down on plastic use wherever possible.
I told them about the move in Parliament to use less and less plastic and how the Government is tackling the blight of plastic in our seas and oceans.
The school council is now hoping to work with Preston City Council on their Task and Finish group about a plastic-free Preston.
Fylde Scouts invited me to talk to their members this week, and I chatted with them about how Parliament works, the role of an MP, and local government.
I visited them at St Paul’s Church where they quizzed me on all manner of things, from the current issues we have with Northern Rail, to Brexit.