Letter from Westminster

Published on Mon 16th Jun 2008

The Parliamentary highlight was obviously the vote on 42 days detention for suspected terrorists. This was not quite as highly charged as the debate over 90 days a couple of years ago, when Tony Blair's government was defeated. I suspected that Brown had twisted enough Labour arms to get his new measure through, so was surprised by the narrowness of his victory. It can't be comfortable for any government to be dependent on Ian Paisley... As Shirley Williams has put it, the DUP are the undertakers of all recent governments, propping up Callaghan and Major.

I voted against 42 days and all Lib Dems are united on this but I guess there are many Labour and Tory MPs who voted against their conscience. I believe David Davies is sincere in his opposition (though he is no liberal on the majority of social issues) but many Tories are natural authoritarians.

Back in Bristol I've been to a variety of events. One Friday night I attended the parade and cavalry display of the Bristol University Officer Training Corps at Clifton College. On the second Friday I spoke at the opening of the weeks events for Refugee Week. It was at the exhibition of photographs now hanging from the roof of Temple Meads station. Go and look, it's quite dramatic.

I joined my MP colleague Steve Webb and MEP Graham Watson on a panel facing questions from the South West CBI at City of Bristol College. I spoke to the girls and staff at Redland High School. I wore a very loud pair of trousers to promote Wallace and Gromit's Grand Appeal and presented awards to volunteers for the National Association of Children of Alcoholics.

Back in London I supported another attempt to lower the voting age to 16, which alas failed. I met medical students upset at increasing accommodation costs and a group of Bristol teachers about their pay.

As well as Bristol and Westminster I've also spent two days in Henley and will be there again this week. We could do really well in the by election to replace Boris Johnson, if enough people turn out to help.