CLEARLY, the past week in Parliament has been dominated by the unexpected news of a General Election.

My work will continue right up to the last moment and I will be working as hard as I can to try and complete all my outstanding casework before Parliament dissolves and I cease to be an MP and become, once again, a candidate.

No doubt, in the coming weeks, The Journal will provide other forums for election discussions and I don’t propose to abuse the privilege of this column – my last before June 8 – to pump out party political messaging.

I am happy to report that the latest meeting of the South Wiltshire Economic Task Force on Friday was very constructive.

Working collaboratively with Wiltshire, Salisbury BID and the City Council, we discussed an ambitious agenda to ease the constant pressure for new homes around Salisbury and bring the changes the city needs to reduce congestion, improve the living environment for residents and transform the offer for visitors.

It was also pleasing that my second Private Member’s Bill had time to pass, removing the last words of employment discrimination against homosexuals from the statute book.

This Friday, I am carrying on as planned with my usual packed diary of constituency engagements, including a full advice surgery, spending time at a nursing home, a meeting with Swan Advocacy and visiting a local group to share my recent experience of bringing LIBOR money to fund south Wiltshire community projects.

After that, I look forward to a positive and constructive campaign.

It has been an honour to serve the people of Salisbury and I hope they will give me the opportunity to carry on the work that I have begun on the big projects that matter to local people.

If I am fortunate enough to remain the MP for Salisbury, I hope I will be able to resume this column on June 15.