ONE of the perks of being a member of the party of government is the opportunity to stride up, full of selfimportance, to the most famous front door in the land.

As you approach, it miraculously opens before you, which is a pity since you don’t then have the pleasure of firing a salvo on the big brass knocker. Inside it’s rather like Doctor Who’s Tardis, vastly bigger than expected, the reverse of the Commons chamber which visitors always remark is very much smaller than they imagined.

It is odd how quickly the tables turn in politics. Less than six months ago I was sitting on the opposition benches laying into the government for failing to commit enough helicopters to Afghanistan or commit to the strategic nuclear deterrent.

The opposition benches are still doing it but it is Labour sitting there now.

But the biggest hubris of all is the now opposition slamming the coalition government for cutting public services when they themselves were planning to swing the axe severely but would not say where. They knew very well there would have to be big cuts if the UK was not to teeter on the brink of disaster like the economies of Spain, Italy and Greece.

Since the election I have been heavily involved in drawing up proposals to improve health services for the members of our Armed Forces and veterans. I’m pleased to say the plans have now been sent to No 10 and await the PM’s verdict.

I have been impressed with David Cameron’s enthusiasm for bettering the welfare of our troops, a cause very dear to the hearts of so many people in our area.

More letters have arrived about plans to build wind turbines across the county border in Dorset. We should be careful about these since their contribution to our green future will always be limited and there is precious little left of our unspoilt open countryside.

Better by far to focus on technolgies for which we have much raw material – offshore wind and tidal – as well as one for which our raw material is less reliable – solar.

On the eve of the Papal visit, undoubtedly important issues around child abuse and attitudes to birth control, women and gay people have unfortunately overshadowed the many good things the Catholic Church does. I have received a lot of correspondence from people who are unhappy with the visit and the fact that the government will be paying for it. I do not share that view. I wish His Holiness well and hope his stay here is productive in both a sec