Recess? What recess?

Last weekend was packed with constituency activity: I had the pleasure of attending the Charlestown Regatta raft race and witnessing the partial sinking of the Kelly Whip. I attended an Eid celebration in Quintrell Downs where I also spoke with Newquay’s Mayor about some of the challenges facing the town – not least parking. And, to round it all off, I enjoyed the Mevagissey Male Choir’s concert at Trewoon Village Hall. It was a stunning performance and I look forward to hearing them sing out on the Quay Mondays through the summer.

Last Monday, before returning to Parliament, I met with the chief executive of South West Water in Exeter. I reiterated my call for the public's concerns about the desalination plant at Par to be addressed, for an environmental impact assessment, and for greater detail on the business case. I also heard what needs to be done to better monitor and tackle storm overflows, which have plagued our rivers and seas particularly badly over the last few weeks. In September, we will bring forward the Water (Special Measures) Bill in the Autumn.

In amongst an already busy legislative programme, I was glad to welcome a group of students from Penrice to Parliament on Wednesday. This weekend just passed I hosted my first constituency surgery in Newquay and will host the second in St Austell at Cuddra WI Hall this Saturday, August 3, 2pm to 3pm.

Though not as active on the floor of the House as some of my new colleagues, I’ve wasted no time in ensuring my constituency office operations are up and running. I am now in a position to respond more effectively to constituents’ queries and, from today (Wednesday, July 31), I’m back in Cornwall until the end of August – which couldn’t have come soon enough!

Noah Law, Labour MP for St Austell & Newquay