And we’re off! The country will be going to the polls on 12 December for an historic winter election.

On Tuesday night, for a brief moment, it looked as if the Brexit purgatory might be coming to an end. Parliament voted, with a majority of 30, to back the new Brexit deal negotiated with the EU.

Cheltenham’s schools are some of the best in the country. Thanks to talented teachers and head teachers they are delivering better outcomes year on year, as this summer’s A level and GCSE results showed.

Monday 14 October is an important date in our campaign to save Cheltenham’s A&E.

The highlight of the Party Conference in Manchester for me has been the announcement of a major boost in funding for schools. From next year, schools from Balcarras to All Saints’ Academy will receive at least £5,000 per pupil per year.

I’m writing this from the train heading to Westminster. Following the decision of the Supreme Court, parliamentary proceedings will resume later today.

The campaign to save Cheltenham’s A&E is stepping up a gear. Earlier this week I hand-delivered hundreds of responses to NHS bosses’ "engagement exercise" about the future of healthcare in Gloucestershire.

Another week, more uproar in Parliament. The House of Commons is a lively place at the calmest of times, but some of the language and behaviour now becoming routine is concerning. Verbal sparring is spilling into abuse. Scuffles, however minor, are not part of our political culture.

Chaos, tumult, uproar. As I write this on Tuesday night, the Government has just lost a vote on the Commons taking control of the order paper. Parliament is reeling. 21 Conservative MPs, good people and friends of mine, have been expelled from the Party. A general election looms. 

This week local hospital managers published their “Fit for the Future” blueprint for the future of health services in Gloucestershire – including for A&E.