This week saw two major speeches by the Prime Minister addressing two of the biggest topics that constituents raise.

The first was on the UK’s future trading relationships after Brexit.

The Prime Minister firmly and enthusiastically espoused free trade and a global view of trade, embracing both old friends and new ones. He struck an extremely welcome note of optimism. Our exit from the European Union affords our country the opportunity to pursue an ambitious trade agenda by making new trade agreements with countries across the globe.

I was delighted to hear the Prime Minister be very specific in confirming that the trade deals we strike will emphatically not come with any diminution of our high standards in food, hygiene, safety and animal welfare.

The government’s has also been very clear that future trade agreements must uphold our proud record on the environment.

Only by upholding the highest environmental standards in all our deals can we fulfil the aim of being the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than we found it.

To that end, it was very welcome to hear Sir David Attenborough helping to announce the accelerated phasing out of petrol and diesel cars – brought forward from 2040 to 2035.

Only in recent years has it become apparent that diesel engines are not just creating CO2 but are also significant contributors to pollution and poor air quality.

Not only do we need to continue to incentivise the purchase of cars with low or zero emissions and support the industry in continuing the rapid improvement in green technology, we also need to act quickly to encourage the introduction of cleaner diesel and petrol engines.

Our air is now cleaner than at any point since the industrial revolution, but there is more work to be done to protect the nation’s health. The government’s Clean Air Strategy details how the UK will go further and faster than the EU in reducing exposure to particulate matter pollution.

Encouragingly, it has already been described by the World Health Organisation as an example for the rest of the world to follow.

On Friday, I have a school visit and meetings on topics from local heritage to assisted dying. I am taking part in Alabare’s Big Sleep on Friday night and attending a launch event for Salisbury’s International Arts Festival on Saturday.