This week (Wednesday, 6 January 2016) I had the immense privilege of being able to speak in the House of Commons twice, including taking top slot at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs).
Firstly, at Scotland Questions, I was able to ask Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell), what assessment he has made of the level of growth in the economy in Scotland, to which he replied that the Government’s long-term economic plan had laid the foundations for a stronger economy.
He added: “The Scottish economy has been growing for 11 quarters in a row. Scotland continues to benefit from being part of the UK, which was the fastest growing G7 economy in 2014 and is forecast to be the joint fastest in 2015.”
I then asked: “My constituency has a number of manufacturing companies that do a great deal of business in Scotland, contributing to the growth of the local economy of Redditch as well as to the economy of Scotland. Does my Rt Hon friend agree that is just one element that makes the Union so successful?”
Mr Mundell agreed and added: “It is a fundamental part of the growth in Scotland’s economy that we are part of a single market within our United Kingdom. I recently had the pleasure of visiting Alexander Dennis, the bus manufacturer in Falkirk, and I am sure they would agree the rest of the United Kingdom was one of their most important markets.”
A few minutes later, I enjoyed the rare opportunity of kicking off PMQs with the first question of the day to David Cameron by asking him to confirm that, while he is Prime Minister of this country, condemning terrorist attacks would not be a bar to holding high office?
This was a reference to the fact that two Shadow Ministers quit their jobs over the sacking of Shadow Europe Minister Pat McFadden in a reshuffle, allegedly over "disloyalty" after he appeared to criticise the Labour leader’s stance on terrorism.
The Prime Minister replied: “Condemning terrorist attacks is an essential component of aspiring to high office in this country, and that should be the case whether one is a Shadow Minister or a Minister of the Crown. It is worth recalling what the Rt Hon Member for Wolverhampton South East (Mr McFadden) said, which was that terrorists are entirely responsible for their actions, that no one forces anyone to kill innocent people in Paris, blow up the London Underground, or behead innocent aid workers in Syria.
“He was absolutely right to say that, and it speaks volumes that he cannot sit in the Shadow Cabinet with the Leader of the Opposition.”
It was slightly nerve-racking but exciting as well as a great honour to be able to speak twice in the House of Commons in one day, especially at such a high-profile event as Prime Minister’s Questions. I do my level best to try and raise the profile of Redditch, and within the confines of official procedures and protocol, yesterday provided a very good opportunity.
I would like to take this chance to wish all my constituents a very happy and healthy New Year and to wish you all the very best for 2016.
If of course you would like to speak to me about anything please either send me an e-mail at [email protected] or give me a call on 01527 591334. As ever you can also keep up to date with my whereabouts on Twitter and on Facebook.
Best wishes
Karen