This week has seen the State Opening of Parliament and the King's Speech setting out 36 new pieces of legislation that the Prime Minister is hoping to bring forward over the course of the remainder of this Parliament. I had to Chair a couple of hours of the debate on the Gracious Address, which has done against a backdrop of rumours, whispers and Ministers glued to their phones. As is the tradition, the Address was proposed and seconded by two Government MPs, Naz Shah who was first elected in 2015, and has an incredible story to tell about her forced marriage as a teenager and how she escaped that to become the feisty and determined campaigner she is today, and Chris Vince a 2024 intake MP from Harlow. They both gave funny and entertaining speeches, which the day calls for.
However, the excitement of the State Opening was certainly eclipsed for me by my visit to Wellow Primary School earlier in the week. The Year 4 pupils had some great questions, including about whether I liked my job or not! There is nothing quite as to the point as primary school pupils giving you a grilling, and they were pretty determined to find out who I like in Parliament and who I don't. The real question was whether I can get on with MPs of all parties, and I explained to them that although I might disagree with people it doesn't mean we can't be friends.
This week we have celebrated International Nurses Day and I was at Westminster Abbey for the Florence Nightingale Commemoration. Just like the service in St Margaret's in Wellow a student nurse had to process up the aisle carrying a lit lamp, to echo Florence being "the lady with the lamp". I have to say the journey in St Margaret's is somewhat shorter and also made easier by the candle these days being protected by a glass case.
There has also been something of a doggy theme, with the UK School Dog of the Year Awards, at which I spoke and also got to meet therapy dog George. I have previously had a great day at Southampton General Hospital with Kimmie a therapy dog, and saw how well she interacted with patients. It was lovely to hear about dogs like Rhubarb, George and Sunlight, who help pupils settle at school and give them the confidence to make progress with their education. The quiet understanding of therapy dogs is absolutely amazing, and I know how much of a boost they can be for wellbeing. I suspect we could have done with a few more therapy dogs in Westminster this week to calm some colleagues.