How quickly things change, a couple of months ago the emails dropping into my inbox, and all other MPs were criticising the Government for what they claimed was a mean, uncaring and hostile attitude to refugees. They compared the UK unfavourably to Germany and Sweden. Now those countries have closed their borders to refugees, their governments particularly that of Angela Merkel are struggling against mounting unpopularity. This was happening before last week's appalling terrorist attacks in Paris, now the pressure on them is even greater.
This week my inbox is being weighed down with constituents expressing the exact opposite. The Government is now accused of being weak, letting foreigners into the country without proper checks.
What the situation does exemplify is that Britain’s response to the refugee crisis was exactly right. The decision to take 20,000 refugees over the next five years from the camps in and close to Syria has ensured that those seeking to escape that war-torn country will be dissuaded from taking the high risk sea crossing to Turkey, Greece and elsewhere and that they will be properly checked to ensure before leaving those camps are taking genuine refugees and that we massively reducing the risk that terrorists will be among those we take in.
Of course there are genuine concerns being expressed by both sides but what I think it shows clearly is that the approach taken by our government is measured, compassionate and realistic.
These are difficult and challenging times for governments across the free world. Should Britain join with France, Russia and others in Syria?
These are big questions that will be determined over the coming weeks. The Government of course has the chiefs of Staff to advise them and we on the back benches are fortunate not only to receive ministerial briefings but to have some fine, experienced and distinguished people with military experience among us.
A few days ago I received an email suggesting that whenever our military were ordered into action two MPs should be forced to join them on the frontline to see what a disaster it always is, except that it was phrased in slightly more colourful language.
This is an insult to, among others Colonel Bob Stewart DSO who commanded the British contingent in Bosnia, Major Dan Jarvis who saw service in Iraq and Afghanistan, former Grenadier Guardsman Adam Holloway, Surgeon Commander Andrew Murrison who served in the Gulf War, former Intelligence Corps officer Tom Tugenhadt, former commando Johnny Mercer, Lieutenant Richard Benyon, Jason McCartney – nine years in the RAF including service in Iraq, all of who now serve as MPs
These are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head, the list could go on.
Returning to the conflicting emails causes me, as I often do, to reflect on how I, who like all MPs, was elected to represent all my constituents, but being a representative is not like being a delegate we are elected to balance our judgement with the opinions of those we represent. I am often asked to let David Cameron, George Osborne or other ministers know what a certain constituent thinks. I duly do so; it doesn't of course mean I am agreeing with those views.
The last couple of weeks have been dominated by meetings connected with the redundancies at Scunthorpe steelworks and also how we push forward with maximising investments into the area, and particularly those connected will the offshore renewables sector. A sector that already employs around a thousand people in our area.
Many of the skills of those employed in the steel industry are transferable to the renewables sector. The Government are putting together a package that will go a long way to helping those facing redundancy and retaining a viable and sustainable steel production plant in Scunthorpe; and when I, along with neighbouring MPs met the Prime Minister last week, he repeated his commitment to do just that.