My Week in Parliament
Monday
My week starts flying to London.
I arrive in Westminster and this is an opportunity to catch up with my paperwork as the House does not sit until 2:30pm. I start with my e-mails, which have accumulated over the week-end, and delegate as appropriate. I attend business in the House, and various meetings until 10pm when voting usually takes place.
Tuesday
The Defence Select Committee and the Scottish Executive meetings, of which I am a member, take place on a Tuesday and preparation is always required. I try to spend as much time in the Chamber as possible and contribute to debates. Voting takes place around 7pm.
Wednesday
The other committee I am a member of is the European Scrutiny Select Committee and these meetings take place every Wednesday, therefore more reading and preparation is necessary. 12:30pm is Prime Minister Questions, where most MPs attempt to intervene on the issues of the week. Voting is around 7pm and afterwards I make my way back to my office as paperwork is always in abundance.
Thursday
This is one day of the week where I do not have select committee meetings, unless an emergency arises. This gives me time to concentrate on other issues that may be coming up in the near future or indeed the following week. Voting concludes around 6pm giving me time to catch the last flight to Edinburgh.
There are many all Party Parliamentary meeting taking place throughout the week and I attend as many as possible.
Friday
I am in the Constituency Office most Fridays. This is the only day of my working week that I can meet constituents, have surgeries, sign my correspondence and have a staff meeting to discuss what has taken place in the constituency over the week.
My office is an open door and we always have people coming in off the street for advice or phoning hoping to speak with their MP.
Saturday
I occasionally hold surgeries on a Saturday morning or meet with constituents who have urgent issues to discuss. If local organisations, youth clubs, OAP clubs etc would like their local MP to attend their events I make myself available.
Sunday
I spend my Sunday with family and only attend very occasional meetings or events.
