This week has been a momentous one for a number of reasons. First, Tony Blair came together with Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness to oversee a historic display of unity at Stormont. Not only did this mark a symbolic end to the Troubles that have stained British and Irish public life, it also demonstrates the value of courageous statesmanship.

A lesser, but still historic, change was undertaken as the Home Office was split in two by the creation of the new Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice will take over from the DCA. I am therefore now a minister at the new Ministry.  

Finally, of course, Tony Blair made a touching speech in his constituency to announce the date of his departure. Ten years of New Labour has changed the face of this country and Tony Blair, more than anyone else, is the man responsible for those successes. Strangely, the leader of the Liberal Democrats apparently didn’t approve of our Prime Minister saying that this country is “the greatest nation on earth”. I can’t for the life of me see how anyone elected to Parliament to serve the British people could object to such a comment but that’s the Liberal Democrats for you.

Here in Lewisham, I’ve been meeting shop workers as part of USDAW’s campaign to protect them from abuse and I visited the fantastic new building at the Knights Academy. Both those visits are recorded on this site for you and, of course, I’m always waiting for your comments.