The hot topic of the week is obviously the draft Withdrawal Agreement, setting out how Britain will leave the European Union next March. It’s 585 pages of legal text, and so it will take me a while to figure out exactly what it says and means, but from my first read-through there are parts I like and parts that worry me. The proposals for a future relationship with the EU would deliver the main things that I argued for when I campaigned for Brexit in the referendum; we would be able to agree our own trade deals with countries around the world, we would be able to decide who comes into our country and on what terms, we would no longer have to pay large amounts of money every year into the EU budget, and the European Court of Justice would no longer be able to overrule British laws. At the same time, our businesses would be able to trade easily and freely with European countries, which is so important for many local jobs.

However, the emergency “backstop” provisions that take effect if a final deal cannot be reached by the end of 2020 would cause us a lot of problems. We would be bound by many of the burdens of EU membership but without enjoying many of the benefits or being able to influence the rules we have to follow. There is also no certainty over how long we could be stuck in that unacceptable position. Because of this, I don’t think that I could support the proposals as they currently stand and will be looking for some changes, clarifications and reassurances before MPs vote on the deal in three weeks.

Back in Dudley South, I attended my first Christmas Fair on Saturday at Pensnett Community Centre. It was brilliant to see so many stall-holders selling a variety of products, from handcrafted Christmas cards to squishy toys (which went down very well with my children). I’m looking forward to opening the Wordsley Community Centre Christmas Bazaar again this Saturday and to seeing the beautiful displays at Christmas Tree Festivals at the Red House Glass Cone, Holy Trinity Church in Wordsley, St Michael’s Brierley Hill and St Mary’s in Kingswinford.

As usual, I have organised a Christmas card competition for primary schools and special schools in Dudley South, and I have already received hundreds of excellent entries. I am always impressed at the incredible talent that we have in our local schools – whether that’s artistic, academic or sporting achievement or the fantastic work that so many young people do in our community.

There are still limited places available on my trip to Parliament next Thursday. It promises to be a brilliant day out in London, with a little bit of time for some Christmas shopping. Seats on the coach cost £20 each. Call my office on 01384 913123 if you are interested in coming or would like some more information.