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This month MP Nigel Evans travels to Strasbourg, pays his respect to Margaret Thatcher and celebrates the local produce of the Ribble Valley in the House of Commons

One of the greatest inspirations in my political life was Margaret Thatcher. She was the UK’s first woman PM and someone who did not shy from any controversy or fights. I was privileged to meet her on several occasions and I thought how amused she would have been by the refusal of Westminster Council to erect a statue in Parliament Square to honour her achievements. Just for the record there are no female statues in the square but there are 11 men. Maybe this remarkable omission, which is staggering as we celebrate 100 years of votes for women, just might be corrected.

I spent three hours in the company of another lady with huge guts and that is Julia Hartley Brewer. She has a new national radio show and I had the privilege of joining her this month from 6am for three hours of her show. Julia takes no prisoners and is a real asset to journalism in the UK.

Mrs Kirkham’s cheese made an appearance at the House of Commons in January as the farming industry and the beer industry joined up to promote the great qualities of both products. I had a great chat with the vice-president of the NFU, Guy Smith. I told him what he already knew – that the prevalence of farming in the Ribble Valley has turned us into a sparkling jewel in the UK crown for the beauty of the countryside and the amazing food we produce.

We have finished for the time being with the Brexit legislation in the Commons but it is about to go to the Lords. I was greatly amused to see their Lordships’ house and the name of their debate ‘Deal or No Deal’ and wondered when Noel Edmonds had been recruited.

London really is one of the finest capitals in the world and now we have a lumiere festival, which adds to the aura of the place. As I was walking back to my apartment on Sunday evening I took a picture of the London Eye in all its colour and glory. I was opposed to the erection of this ‘ghastly eyesore’ when it was first planned. I was totally wrong, as it really does add to the city’s dazzling architecture.

I joined other MPs in paying respect to the victims of the Holocaust at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg where I am a member. We are upholders of human rights in European countries and spending a moment to reflect on the tragic and brutal murdering of men, women and children in their millions from 1941 to 1945, is chilling in its proportions and sombre in its consequences. Two thirds of all Jews in Europe were exterminated by the insane war that gripped a continent. Remembering this appalling inhumanity throughout Europe and encouraging schoolchildren to visit camps like Auschwitz (which I know many Ribble Valley schoolchildren have done) will ensure that the next generation of world leaders will never allow such an atrocity to ever blot our civilisation ever again.

Vigilance and learning the history of our people are vitally important and I pay tribute to all our teachers for the important work which they do, in affording our youngsters the tools with which to improve the lot of the world to come.

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Tedd Walmsley

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Tedd Walmsley managing director of Live Magazines shares his views on the latest topics in media.

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