His Majesty’s coronation was an occasion in which all his subjects could take great pride.
As a feast of national celebration, it enabled us to give thanks for the strength of our constitutional monarchy which insulates against the ephemeral whims of elected politics.
My wife Christo and I were delighted to be able to join residents of West Moors at St Mary’s Church for a civic service of thanksgiving before attending another at Salisbury Cathedral.

On both occasions the central role in our national life of the established Church of England and Protestantism were highlighted. So, too, were the wider duties of public service incumbent upon all those privileged to hold positions of responsibility in our society.

On this latter theme, the Government has asked Lesley Seary, former chief executive of Islington Council, to look at the governance and finance arrangements of BCP Council. I have had a meeting with her at which I put forward several suggestions. First among these is that BCP Council replace its cabinet system with a committee system of governance. This would enable every councillor to be able to participate fully in the workings of the council and would facilitate more effective public scrutiny of what goes on.
I also suggested that its council-controlled companies should be made properly accountable to all the elected councillors, thereby restoring transparency over local decision making. With a new council being formed following the local elections, it is an ideal time for change.

On May 2, His Majesty graciously gave Royal Assent to the Mobile Homes (Pitch Fees) Act 2023. As the sponsor of this legislation which I reintroduced last summer as a Private Member’s Bill, I am delighted that it will commence on July 2 and reduce the maximum permitted annual increase in pitch fees for park home residents from the Retail Price Index to the Consumer Price Index.

Although a sad reflection upon our parliamentary legislative process that it took some five years to enact, despite it having cross-Party Parliamentary support, it does show the importance of persistence in politics.

Persistence is also going to be required to obtain from the Government information about its plans to house illegal immigrants at Portland Port which could have a major impact upon the provision of public services across Dorset.

I put nine questions to the minister about the nature of those who would be located on the barge and the detailed arrangements for their accommodation. The minister, however, has so far ducked my questions, refused to provide any detail and merely stated that ‘those individuals will be non-detained, provided with adequate accommodation, catering, laundry, facilities to support their wellbeing and transport’.

Dorset taxpayers’ right to know must be recognised.