Well – it’s back to Westminster today. We have company in the form of lots of protesters still on the roof of Westminster Hall. When I see protesters on the roof of Parliament – as was on the news today – I watch with amazement at the ropes and ladders and volume of people scaling the walls – wondering how they can possibly do all that with so many police around.  Each time there is a breach of security like this – you kind of think it can’t happen again – and then it does. Perhaps its because the government stopped protests from taking place outside of Parliament – that protesters now feel they have to protest in Parliament.

And then there’s the letters we are all going to receive from the auditor – what will that herald? I watched Gordon Brown on GMTV say that each MP would have the opportunity to question any demands answer any queries and then pay any outstanding demands. I hope it’s that simple – but if it is true that some of the requests are a retrospective change of rules – I can’t imagine this won’t be another source of major column inches and more disrepute for the body politic.

However, my hope is that we can also concentrate on the issues of the day and the business of Parliament. I believe Gordon Brown is going to be making a statement on Afghanistan this week – and it is important that he define our mission more clearly than has been the case to date. I can only assume with Hilary Clinton in town yesterday to shore up the Government position on  Afghanistan that the statement will be a continuation of our presence there.

Today’s business is the next stages of the Health Bill. The bone of contention here is around a proposed ban on displaying tobacco. So – if you go into your corner shop for example – that wall of cigarettes behind the counter would have to disappear and such sales items kept out of sight. Whilst I supported the smoking ban – I have to say that I think this is daft. Firstly, hiding cigarettes is not the way to reduce sales. Secondly, it will probably make them more ‘exciting’ if they somehow gain an aura of secrecy about their purchase. Thirdly – at this critical time in the recession – I doubt whether it would be an expense that such corner shops could tolerate financially at this point in time. Conversely – I am against cigarette vending machines in public places where those under 16 evidence shows are purchasing their cigarettes so would support those disappearing.

And then, of course, I am hoping that there will be an early debate / statement on the economic crisis, what the government plans are for repaying the deficit and the timing thereof .

Off we go………