My day began with a meeting with Peter Mandleson. As I walked up to the front door of 1 Victoria St, I was slightly taken back to see a familiar sight right outside the front door.

Alan Sugars car with the famous AMS1 number plate.

It parked in pride of place totally un-ashamed that it had not been elected to do so.

Unfortunately, I can’t really blog what was said at the meeting just yet.

The discussion was focused on the future of Vauxhall in Bedfordshire.

Lord Mandleson was at least able to provide re-assuring guarantees, at least in terms of how the bids are being handled and evaluated.

Watch this space as things are going to move very quickly.

This evening I am hosting and chairing a meeting organised by the Henry Jackson Society

The principle speaker is Lynn Forrester, Lady De Rothschild. Who prefers to go by Lynn Forester De Rothschild, not ‘Lady’ (It’s her inner American speaking!)

The meeting is to discuss the six months Obama has been President of the Unites States and to evaluate the impact he has had in a number of areas, including the recession and foreign policy.

Was it Obama rhetoric, or has he fulfilled his promise of action?

I am having supper with Lord and Lady Rothschild in the Strangers dining room following the event which will be fun.

PMQs today were muted. Not just because the PM and David Cameron were not present, but because proceedings began with the names of the seven servicemen who died this week in Afghanistan.

I don’t think I have ever attended a PMQs when it hasn’t begun with the name of a British life lost in the battle for freedom.

It makes you think.