Deadlines make it a little tricky to comment on this week's Budget, which has, of course, been the big political news. Much of the content had been trailed days and even weeks in advance, and I can tell you from the inside, quite how cross that makes The Speaker. There has been a bit of an argument as to whether releasing details of the Budget in advance is a breach of the Ministerial Code.
I have been in Iceland this week, attending the Nordic Council on behalf of Mr Speaker. On the Tuesday, there was an address from President Zelenskyy, and somewhat inevitably the theme has been peace and security in the Arctic. There is a great deal of nervousness at what Russia might do next, at the involvement of North Korea and the Chinese, and of course at the conflict in the Middle East and how that might have knock-on effects.
Last weekend I was in Lockerley talking car parking and road safety, and Over Wallop for the opening of their fantastic new pavilion. This weekend the highlight is undoubtedly going to be Nomads at Woodley Village Hall, with their Autumn Show, The Shadow Factory. I know the Mayor and Mayoress were there last weekend, and I always think it makes a difference to the young performers (and maybe the not-so-young) to know how much they are appreciated in the local community.
With the closest weekend to Bonfire Night coming up there have been several events in Parliament focused on the precautions we can take to look after our pets during this period. The RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Cats Protection have all put advice on their websites. My colleague Sarah Owen MP has a Private Members Bill tabled, to make provision about the sale of fireworks, but she was a long way down the ballot and I suspect it will run out of time. There are also calls to reduce the volume of the noise they can make. I am not an advocate of so-called "silent" fireworks, but I do think we need to have some thought to the nuisance fireworks can cause. Particularly when there is no advance warning there can be real harm done to animals, and it was only a few years ago that a horse died locally in a dreadful accident caused by fireworks.
Caroline Nokes
Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons
MP for Romsey and Southampton North
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