IN the wake of the terrible events of last week, the mood in Parliament continues to be somewhat muted – mindful as we all are of the appalling injuries and tragic loss of life on what started as an ordinary day.

I was rushing to vote when the alert was sounded and duly became one of those who was held in the main Chamber, where I stayed for several hours.

As the facts gradually emerge, it seems as though the attacker was indeed a lone wolf – an individual with a long history of violent criminal activity. The exact circumstances of his radicalisation are not yet known but we clearly need to be sure that we learn all of the security lessons we can from what happened.

If the advice, in due course, is that armed guards are necessary in key locations then that is what will have to happen, although is runs contrary to the way I personally feel the seat of democracy should welcome visitors.

In the meantime, it is gratifying to see the lobbies of the House of Commons still vibrant and bustling with school groups, tourists and campaigners coming to meet with and lobby their MPs on issues dear to their hearts.

This week I have had a number of meetings with the Chancellor and I attended a debate on funding for the National Spitfire Project, mindful of the many local connections with the aircraft revealed in Ethem Cetintas’s excellent documentary film –’The Secret Spitfires of Salisbury’ – the culmination of a great deal of research.

This Friday, I have a packed diary of constituency engagements, including a full advice surgery, a visit to St Edmund’s School to face a grilling from students, a meeting with Barratts to resolve some outstanding issues around Hampton Park 2, and a site visit to Bishopstone at the invitation of the Parish Council.

On Saturday, I look forward to meeting Bemerton Heath residents in the morning before heading to Amesbury for the Mayor’s civic service and reception.