In a recent response to a colleague’s suggestion that the UK’s aid budget should be diverted to domestic spending because ‘charity begins at home’, the Prime Minister reminded us that “the record this Government has of ensuring 0.7% per cent of our GDP is spent on overseas aid is a record second

Like the rest of the country, Tuesday's announcement to call a General Election caught me by surprise. I was in my Westminster office, answering constituent emails, when my staff member popped his head around the door to ask what I thought 'the announcement' was all about.

This week, the Prime Minister triggered Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. The United Kingdom is formally leaving the European Union. Focus now turns to our terms for departure and the new relationship which we have to deliver with the 27 countries who will remain.

The issue of school funding has been making waves across the country. Locally, my own schools have mobilised support from parents and I have been lobbied by every school in the constituency.

This week, my Transport anorak has been well worn, in Parliament and outside. On Monday, our Transport Select Committee continued its inquiry into urban congestion. We heard evidence from the car, cycling and tram lobby. All, naturally, want more of a share of the urban streets for themselves.

Last week Parliament was again debating and voting on the legislation which, when passed, will give the Government the powers needed to start the process of leaving the EU.

Parliament was this week dominated by the bill to allow Britain to leave the EU and by President Trump's temporary immigration ban on seven countries across the globe.

We are leaving the European Union. Many readers may have thought that this news was established last June. For those less sure, the Prime Minister's speech this week should leave no one in any doubt that Britain will be leaving not just the EU but the single market and its customs union.

Christmas is almost upon us. On Tuesday, Parliament broke up and I am now back to the constituency for a couple of weeks. Like many of you who make the same journey, I am looking forward to a break from the daily commute from East Sussex to London.

Constituents are rightly furious with the state of our local rail services. Southern rail has been crippled again by strikes. Southeastern's services have deteriorated for existing passengers and those searching for a reliable alternative to Southern.