NOT for the first time this year, it has been an unprecedented week of machinations at Westminster.

Attempts to topple the Prime Minister – from both within the Conservative Party and without – have thankfully been unsuccessful.

I understand there are fundamental differences on Brexit, but with just 100 days to go until we leave the European Union, to take six weeks off for a leadership election would be the height of irresponsibility.

As I made clear in my column earlier this month, I support the Prime Minister’s deal as the best opportunity of delivering on the referendum result while maintaining close economic ties with EU markets.

Hundreds of constituents have written to me disagreeing, arguing that it is not a clean enough break with the EU. Meanwhile, opposite to this, hundreds of other constituents have told me that the government should not be delivering Brexit at all or at least should put the issue to a second referendum.

I do not support a second referendum. A fresh vote with ‘remain’ as an option, before the first referendum had even been delivered, would result in a catastrophic loss of legitimacy of our democratic system. I find it curious that some who are so attuned to the economic risks of a no deal Brexit are simultaneously so blasé about the implications of the result of a democratic vote not being implemented.

I hope that the House of Commons will give its approval to the Prime Minister’s deal after we return from the Christmas break. However, there clearly remains a risk that the numbers will not be there to do so given the strength of opposition. The government has therefore made the prudent decision to ramp up no deal preparations alongside the push to get the Withdrawal Agreement ratified.

Away from Brexit, I was pleased to attend the Cancer Research Carol Service at St Thomas’s on Sunday which raised over £1,000. Cancer Research UK does a phenomenal job each year raising tens of thousands of pounds locally for a great cause.

This Friday, I will be at South Wilts Grammar School to watch local comedian Andrew White perform on his ‘Retirement Tour’. An endorsement from a Tory MP might be the kiss of death for his career prospects, but Andrew is a great young talent and I will be watching his career advance with much interest!