I attended the launch of Canal & River Trust's exhibition in Parliament on Monday 17 October 2022 to celebrate 10 years as a charity. The Exhibition was held in the Upper Waiting Hill and opened by Michael Fabricant MP (fourth left). The Chief Executive of the Canal and River Trust exhibition Richard Parry (second left) spoke, and Philip Dunne, chair of the Environmental Audit Committee (third left) spoke about the work of his committee.

From the moment one met David Amess one was effectively won over by his genial smile and cheery remarks.  His first sighting was as Basildon Man, first elected in 1983 representing a bell weather constituency that predicted the outcome of an election. Later, as Southend Man, David gained cross party cheers at every end of term debate, questions to Ministers or Prime Ministers raising the stakes to make Southend a city.

On Thursday 13 October 2022 I spoke in the Second Reading of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill. You can read my speech below:

An Urgent Question was agreed asking the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to make a statement on the death of Mahsa Amini. The death of Mahsa Amini, and what is happening to women across Iran is deeply disturbing and heart-breaking. I stand in solidarity with those in Iran who are calling for freedom and the protection of their human rights.

Treasury Questions took place on Tuesday 11 October 2022. The EU agreed as part of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement to provide the UK with access to a range of science, innovation and space programmes – including Horizon Europe, Copernicus and Euratom. However, the EU is refusing to resume talks and grant the UK 'association' until Brexit related disagreements are resolved.