The Bangles lyrics were swimming around in my head yesterday as I tried to make sense of all that was going on! There was a highlight to the day – Alameda Middle School from Ampthill in my constituency was in Parliament for a visit. I have lots of schools which visit, but these children were exceptional. Not in the way they conducted themselves, which was exemplary, but in the way they probed and questioned me. I have never enjoyed a question and answer session with school children so much. They asked intelligent questions about legislation, Iraq and the education inspections bill, usually I am asked about Big Ben and have I been up it!

One of the big decisions I have had to make since becoming an MP was whether or not to oppose my own council when they attempted to alter the three tier education system in Bedfordshire to two tier. I did oppose it and made myself lots of enemies on the way. I opposed the proposal because I took the decision that I was elected to back parents and children and not politics.

When Alameda left I felt a huge sense of satisfaction. They were fantastic children who were obviously well taught and thriving in a small community environment – it was worth making the enemies.