Monday 6 December
The week got off to a good start as I had the pleasure of attending the Conservative Friends of Israel Annual Christmas Lunch. The lunch was attended by a number of leading Cabinet members including George Osborne. It was great to see so many people coming together to show solidarity for the state of Israel.
In the afternoon I attended the annual Chanukah reception at No. 10. I was pleased to be able to invite two Local Rabbis from Finchley & Golders Green to accompany me for the celebrations with the Prime Minister.
Tuesday 8 December
Despite the wet weather, I made it to St Agnes Catholic Primary School in the morning to handout a runner-up prize to Samantha for her Christmas card design.
That afternoon I attended a lunch for the Mayor of Morphou (in exile) as his town is located in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus. It was interesting to gain an insight into the current talks on the unification of Cyprus.
Wednesday 9 December
On Wednesday I spoke at Keshet UK’s third annual Chanukah event in Parliament. In September 2015 the Jewish LGBT campaign group was given charity status so there was lots to celebrate. Benjamin Ellis, one of the Directors of Keshet UK, also announced the charity would be given a blog space on JHUB. At the end of the evening I gave a short tour of the Palace of Westminster.
Thursday 10 December
Thursday I was invited to Millbank Tower for an interview on Sam Delaney’s satirical interview show called News Things on Russia Today UK. Sam asked me about my working-class upbringing and the reasons why I joined the Conservative Party. The interview ended with a rather interesting image quiz...you will have to watch the full interview to find out what that involved.
Friday 11 December
After presenting a number of runner-up prizes over the past few weeks I was delighted to be able to present the prize for the overall winner of the Finchley & Golders Green Christmas Card Competition 2015. Amelia from Childs Hill School won with her snowman winter scene which will appear on my Christmas cards this year.
Sunday 13 December
On Sunday I took part in the annual lighting of the Giant Menorah at Golders Green underground station, one of the biggest in London, as part of the Jewish festival of Chanukah