Find out where your MP is off on holiday
MPs in the West Midlands today revealed they are largely sticking to Britain for their main summer holiday - although some are managing to catch up on some summer sun abroad too.
MPs in the West Midlands today revealed they are largely sticking to Britain for their main summer holiday - although some are managing to catch up on some summer sun abroad too.
Keen to show solidarity with those unable to afford foreign breaks during the credit crunch, our politicians will travel to all four corners of the UK.
Both Gordon Brown and David Cameron have made much of the fact they have chosen to stay in England this summer. Some Midlands MPs have followed suit, but others are determined to escape our unpredictable weather. Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho has tried to guarantee the best of both worlds. The Walthos are off to the Lake District for a few days. Then later in the month, they will be visiting Turkey.
South Staffordshire MP Sir Patrick Cormack will be heading north for a family holiday in Scotland, while fellow Tory Michael Fabricant, member for Lichfield, said the credit crunch meant that he would be spending longer in Wales than he usually does. "I go walking in the Snowdonia National Park, but I am also going to Equador and trekking in Columbia." Another parliamentarian who will be spending time under canvas is Ian Austin, MP for Dudley North, who is planning to spend at least a long weekend camping at Bala in North Wales. The Austins are also off to Devon for a week.
Stafford MP David Kidney has only one break in the diary so far - a long weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon - to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his marriage to wife Elaine. "We're staying at a country house hotel within walking distance of the town, so we'll be doing our bit to save the environment," said the Labour MP.
Also concerned about his carbon footprint is climate change campaigner Rob Marris, who is letting the train take the strain to whisk him and partner Julia to Languedoc in the south of France. "I certainly won't be going by air," said the Wolverhampton South West MP. By coincidence, Wolverhampton North East MP Ken Purchase and wife Brenda will also be heading for Languedoc, but travelling by car.
Walsall North MP David Winnick, a long-term opponent of the long summer recess, will, nevertheless, take a two-week holiday in the Italian Lakes.
As well as taking in a few days cricket watching, Warley MP John Spellar will be spending a couple of weeks in France where he insists his reading material will include back copies of Hansard.
At least Conservative MP Richard Shepherd will feel right at home during his summer break. He is spending August in his Aldridge and Brownhills constituency.
