My first engagement of the week was to attend All Saints Primary School in Cricklewood to meet a runner-up in my Christmas Card Competition. The standard was very high again this year! I then headed over to Parliament to meet UK Power Networks to discuss the ongoing problems with power cuts in North Finchley ahead of the debate I was hosting the following day. Subsequently, I attended a regular meeting with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (I am a Trustee) before welcoming constituents from West Finchley to Parliament for a Meet the Street event.
Tuesday played host to the debate in Anti-Semitism. As Vice-President of the All Party Group on Anti-Semitism, I was keen to raise some of the horrific incidences of anti-Semitism that took place locally. Following on from that, I held my own debate in Power Cuts in North Finchley to raise the plight of local traders. Articles on both of these appearances are on my website.
Later that week, I visited another runner-up in the Christmas card competition, this time at Childs Hill School, Cricklewood. On returning to Westminter, I met with Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin to discuss the new railway station which is being built as part of the Brent Cross/Cricklewood Regeneration Scheme.
I have been involved with the local charity, Contact the Elderly, who provide events to combat loneliness and isolation amongst the elderly. I held a function in Parliament for their excellent volunteers on Thursday evening which was thoroughly enjoyable.
As is customary, I had a day in the constituency on Friday, first speaking at the AGM of Community Barnet, the umbrella organisation for local voluntary groups. After that, I headed over to Pardes House Grammar School to meet students. I was impressed by the standard of questions and the students demonstrated a real interest in politics.
Over the weekend, I attended the Christmas Fair at St Theresa’s School in East Finchley before meeting members of the local Iranian Community.