Stephen's week

MONDAY 17 JULY 2006

The night before I had press released a statement about the Ashley Court Hotel, on Ashley Hill. The hotel has been closed for about a year and has been acquired by a developer. He wants planning permission for flats in place of the hotel. Last week he had attempted demolition but a protest by residents had stopped it and the police also intervened, asking for a bat survey. Cllr Jon Rogers and I had been for a look at the site after our painting out graffiti. I drafted a statement stating that I, Jon Rogers and Shirley Marshall opposed the change of use for the site and urging the developer to cease demolition.

On arrival in London I contacted the Council's planning department to ask for an update. I also persuaded them to send an urgent letter to the developer. I also wrote to the developer (after a rather unproductive conversation with his very rude architect!) urging him to preserve the building.

Off to Education Select Cttee for a private session, considering our draft report on Further Education.

In the evening walked over to the Reform Club, near the Mall, for a joint reception for Lib Dem MPs and Peers. I feel this was a long overdue event. It has been hard to get to know all my Commons colleagues and there are over 70 colleagues at the other end of the Palace! Under the new regime there are a lot of positive internal developments. Anyway there's a lot of booze and chat. There were four ex party leaders in attendance (Steel, MacLennan, Ashdown and Kennedy) and there were speeches from Ming and Tom McNally, the Lords leader. It was very hot, made worse by club rules requiring a jacket and tie. As there was no food a crowd of us went off to Pizza Express - with aircon to cool down!

TUESDAY 18th JULY

Visit today from Cllr Bev Knott and his wife Janet, who after a full tour insisted on lunch on the terrace in the absolutely sweltering heat.

In afternoon Sarah Teather and I met with the NUS to discuss various student issues and then with the Association of Colleges about further education.

Worked in office late into evening. Went outside as could hear noise - there was a demo about the situation in Lebanon. The demo caught the police off guard and it spilled across from Parliament Square towards the palace. All the gates were locked and sirens wailed as police vans pulled up. I received a message saying the safe way out was through Black Rod's garden entrance! But I went back to the office till midnight and things had cleared by the time I left for home.

WEDNESDAY 19 JULY

Another visitor, Cllr Sean Emmett who started morning by sitting in on Education Select Cttee. A good one to attend as our sole witness was the Secretary of State, Alan Johnson. I asked him two sets of questions - about the next comprehensive spending review (CSR) and the pressure on future funding. Also his attitude to the review of top up fees (or variable fees as he insisted on calling them) which he said would be genuine and open minded...

Afternoon a brief meeting with Sarah Teather and the CMU - one of the higher education lobby groups. Then our final parliamentary party meeting of this session...though we were about to spend 48 hours together.

THURSDAY and FRIDAY 20th and 21st JULY

Train to Reading then a taxi to Henley Management Centre for a 2 day Parliamentary Away Day. On arrival did a live interview on the Radio Bristol about the Ashley Court hotel - the developer had backed down, at least for now.

The centre was in a glorious location next to the Thames, which looked far prettier here than the view I am used to. I was puzzled by the presence of two paintings of Tory Prime Ministers Disraeli and Salisbury but it made sense when I realised that the house at the core of the centre was once the home of WH Smith who was a Victorian Tory as well as a newsagent. The two days of exercises and presentations reminded me of my former career and are a welcome sign of the new professionalism that is becoming embedded in the parliamentary party.

SATURDAY 22nd JULY

Down to Redcliffe wharf and the boat house of Avon Scouts and Guides. They have received a donation from B&Q towards upgrading facilities. A photo op for the press with me sat in a boat, complete with life jacket and oar but stuck on the end of the jetty, not in the water! The scouts then gave a demo of their skills in the harbour, without me as ballast...

Then went for a look around the St Mary Le Port area of Castle Park. As you will have read last week, this area is about to see major change. Although I have been to Castle Park many times I had not actually looked around the ruin of St Mary as it is tucked behind the now empty Norwich Union and Bank of England offices. It is all quite overgrown and strewn with the debris of drinkers and drug addicts. A couple of homeless men had pitched a tent in what was the nave.

Over by the ruin of St Peters I met one of the people organising protests against the plans and we have a lively though friendly discussion. Then to the Galleries to look at the exhibition about the scheme. Interesting to listen to initial hostility from a lot of people, modified when they learn that nobody is proposing building over the whole park. This is going to be quite a high profile issue over the summer and autumn.

Next week will be the last "letter" as Parliament goes into recess at 10pm on Tuesday.