The week ahead (20/01/19)

In the end, last week actually turned out to be more heat than light.

So Parliament returns tomorrow and Brexit will once again – frustratingly - dominate the agenda.

Before heading back down to London on a lunchtime flight, I’ll be spending the morning in Easterhouse. First up is a meeting with the Council and representatives from Oakwood Primary School to discuss road safety concerns raised by parents and staff at the School. After that I’ve got a catch-up pencilled in with Joan McClure who manages Easterhouse Citizens Advice Bureau.

Once I arrive in Westminster, I’m hoping to take part in questions to the Home Secretary, followed by questioning a Brexit statement from the Prime Minister.

Tuesday includes a debate - secured by my SNP colleague Angela Crawley - on mental health and the benefits assessment process. I’m planning to speak in that debate to raise some constituency cases. Do give me a shout if you’ve got a particular case study you think it would be helpful to raise. Later on, in the evening, I’m hosting a dinner with a group of cross-party MPs and Results UK to discuss nutrition in the developing world.

Wednesday morning kicks off with not one but two All Party Parliamentary Groups, as well as my regular Bill committee, followed by a conference call with my staff team in Shettleston to go over constituency casework. After that it’ll be onto Prime Minister’s Questions where my colleagues on the SNP benches will be holding Theresa May to account. In the afternoon I’ll be in the main chamber speaking about the broken Private Members Bill system.

On Thursday I’m duty whip for the SNP which means I’m responsible liaising between our own MPs, the Speaker and other party whips on the parliamentary estate. That means I’ll spend almost all of the day between the main chamber of the House of Commons and the SNP whips’ office, which is supported by our excellent staff Anne, Chris and Kieran. Once Parliament adjourns for the day, I’ll be free to head to the airport and get home to Glasgow.

Friday, as usual, is a busy constituency day with my surgery at Baillieston Library at 10am. Don’t forget I’ve also got another Supermarket Surgery on Saturday at Tesco in Shettleston from 11.30am.

So, that’s a snapshot of the week to come. Do keep in touch!

David