International Affairs
It was back to Westminster for me last week as Parliament resumed its work after the Christmas break. I felt a noticeable shift away from domestic toward international issues - perhaps because much of our own legislation is currently in 'The Other Place', as the House of Lords is affectionately known up there.
Together with a few colleagues I was invited to a meeting with William Hague to discuss various foreign and Commonwealth issues; not least Iran's threat to blockade the Straits of Hormuz and prevent a vast proportion of the world's oil deliveries from reaching the ocean waves, our refineries and (eventually) our petrol pumps.
Later I had the opportunity of meeting the President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas. He was in Westminster to meet the Foreign Secretary and address us about the current situation between his people and the state of Israel. No good news to report I am afraid.
Foreign Office questions saw a packed chamber and the omnipresent issues surrounding Afghanistan were raised once again; Is our ongoing presence making a valid difference? Do we need to remain until 2014? My mind always focuses upon the losses our own 36 Engineers and the Queen's Gurkha regiment have suffered, not to mention maternal anxieties for my son Ben who is due for deployment there this Summer.
Our own international issue also raised its head this week, as if you hadn't noticed! The Scottish referendum. I can't think of a less sensible time to consider such a change as all of us in the UK continue to battle our way through economic strife and Eurozone instability. The shift away from the State toward localism is a feature of this coalition and something I personally support.
But I believe the timing of this campaign is driven by political opportunism rather than practical, pragmatic proposals. I have no doubt the public will see through it and arrive at the right result in the end.
Helen's column is written for the Kent Messenger. It is published each Friday and subsequently uploaded to this website. Recently published columns can be found under the Kent Messenger Weekly Column tab above.
