Broadly speaking, former Prime Ministers do one of three things: become obscenely rich (Tony Blair); vanish (Gordon Brown); or sulk (Ted Heath).
So far it looks like David Cameron favours none of the above. This week he was sitting near me on the backbenches, looking remarkably upbeat. I think getting stuck in again and serving our country with the minimum of fuss is absolutely the right approach.
This week has been dominated by the debate on whether we should renew our nuclear deterrent. My position is clear: I look forward to a future free from nuclear weapons and have supported measures to reduce global stockpiles. But I also believe that unilateral disarmament would be a great mistake. In an uncertain world our country needs to maintain a continuous independent nuclear deterrent as the ultimate guarantee of our national security. Although no state currently has both the intent and the capability to threaten the independence and integrity of the UK, we cannot dismiss the possibility that a major direct nuclear threat to the UK will re-emerge. It would be wrong to leave Britain open to nuclear blackmail. It would also be wrong to contract out our security to others.
Recent events drive home just how volatile global politics is. Who would have predicted a decade ago that Russia would annex sovereign territory of a neighbouring European state?
I commend the scores of Labour MPs who took a principled stand and joined Conservatives to back the retention of the continuous-at-sea deterrent. The majority of 355 was decisive, and will secure thousands of highly-skilled engineering jobs locally. To those, like the Lib Dems and the SNP, who voted against Trident, I respect your views – but I believe they would leave our country weaker and less safe.
In other news, this week I brought together in Parliament senior figures from Government, Network Rail and GWR to make the case for our railway station, following the cancellation of investment projects across the country as part of the Hendy Review. I’m delighted to have secured assurances that Cheltenham’s funding will be safeguarded, and that we can expect to see progress next year and into the future.
It’s the kind of constituency issue that our former PM will now be able to devote more time to. As for me, it’s surely only a matter of time before I’ll be calling him ‘Dave’...