Promoted by Richard Graham of Unit P2, Innsworth Technology Park, GL3 1DL.

When I left Parliament I brought the national enquiry into rape gangs in Rotherham home from Parliament: re-reading it still shakes me. @matthewsyed article (below) says everything I feel. Truth must out, not as fuel for racism, but because there are still lessons to learn

Now that the UK is the 12th member of CP TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership, making up 15% of world trade) we need to get moving, esp through our first FTA with Malaysia. We need both an accredited High Commissioner & an appointed Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to do so effectively.

Columns by Matthew Syed have always been thoughtful and well written, but this one hits at the heart of the problems we face - a big wake up call for us all in Western Europe

Almost all incumbent democratic governments and or their leaders have struggled, and many lost, in this year of so many elections. Why? Because in too many cases the A to ‘are you better or worse off than you were 4 or 5 years ago?’ is ‘worse’. Democracy has to deliver more 1/2.

The moment of truth in elections can cause denial - cf Frelimo in Mozambique. But Botswana, changing govmt for the first time since Independence, has shown how to transfer power gracefully and peacefully, like Zambia before. That is one of democracy’s great strengths.

Tim Smit (Eden Project) on Nat Lottery @TNLUK 30th anniv: key to ‘electrifying the creative industries of Britain’: that with success of ‘dreaming type things’ communities believe ‘good things can happen here’. So true & exactly what local pride is all about @HeritageFundUK.

My warm thanks to the London heads of mission of the countries for whom I worked as 4 PMs Trade Envoy @desrapercaya09 🇮🇩 @MYHicomLondon Dato Zakri Jaafar 🇲🇾 & @teddyboylocsin 🇵🇭 & also to @ASEAN Sec Gen @hourn_kao A joy working with you on many projects - and much more ahead

So ends the 14th @GlosHistFest: 50 talks by or conversations with brilliant & thought inspiring speakers on the widest aspects of history @DavidOlusoga @DalrympleWill: ending @DrJaninaRamirez with @katemosse Hakim Adi & magician Neville Maskeleyne. 🙏🏻 all supporters & volunteers

From the top of our house the evening sun fades over May Hill, 300m summit of the borderland of Gloucestershire. It looks to both the Cotswold Hills & Black Mountains and over a dozen counties & is the distant landmark of coming home as you drive from the south

My last speech in politics earlier. After diplomacy & business I’m v lucky to have had 14 years of service inc as Chair of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy & the PM’s Trade Envoy: but most of all treasured being MP for Gloucester. Thank you all 🙏🏻.

David Cameron was first in Gloucester with me during the 2007 floods, and several times after: this time he came to see progress from various regeneration projects, hear about our Levelling Up wins - and support strong representation of Gloucester here & in Parliament by me.

RT @David_Cameron: People in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Swindon benefit from having strong Conservative champions for their areas. Campai….

Labour’s assumption that the word ‘Change’ alone is enough to magic higher growth is wrong. There is no need to disrupt steady successful economic stewardship - least of all with new employment reforms to please the unions. No wonder business is worried.

Just Stop Oil is good at stunts that make news but brilliant at losing sympathy for their cause.

Everyone shd be pleased that UK inflation is down to 2%. It’s the formal target of the Bank of England but govmt policy vital to success and @RishiSunak @Jeremy_Hunt leadership exemplary. Interest rate cuts must now follow. Tax increases from Labour can only be inflationary.

In 2011 @RtHonRobHalfon & I were the first MPs to have our own apprentices (& ever since). Best way to know what’s involved & encourage others. When I took over in Gloucester few apprentices & dire youth unemp’ment. Completely turned round now & no-one shd risk reversing that.

This is vital for the connectivity of energy & especially for remote green energy projects, our ability to deliver local cleaner greener transport and yes net zero. Anyone taking pot shots just because we happen to be in an election is putting party well before country.

In all the coverage of the election I will never forget the return to Parlmt y’day of my colleague Craig Mackinlay after losing his arms & legs, almost his life, to sepsis. If courage is Hemingway’s grace under pressure then listen to this. .

Inflation now down to 2.3%, fastest growth in G7 Q1 2024, 3rd largest source of tech investment & 4th largest global exporter: business confidence up & wages rising over inflation for 10th month in a row. Of course some politicians want to claim the UK is on the ropes. Really?.

Good discussion with @HSFGDenmarkRoad pupils in Parliament on several issues, with strong support for the Smoking Bill. Thank you all for coming!