I wanted to write to Michelle and Mal at Aqua Pharmacy to congratulate them on the milestone that they reached last week of delivering their 10,000th dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

It is great that they are now delivering 2nd doses and that they have even started with vaccinations for the 45 and overs. It doesn’t seem that long ago that we discussed the initial idea of Aqua Pharmacy becoming a vaccination centre.

I have visited them a number of times and have helped them on a number of key issues over the past few months and I really just wanted to thank them for all of their efforts to help Ipswich combat this pandemic.

I have sent a letter to the Queen on behalf of myself and the people of Ipswich expressing our deepest sympathies over the loss of the Duke of Edinburgh. He visited our town many times before I was the MP, to places such as Ipswich school and the Waterfront. Unfortunately, I never met him myself, but I have been touched over the past few days by constituents who have reached out to me to share some of their stories about having met him in our town.

He was a generous and humorous man who left a great impression on those who met him. May he rest in peace.

We’re on track. Since the road map was announced on 22 February we past through two “step 1” phases on 8 March and 29 March and I’m pleased that its now been 100% confirmed we will hit step 2 on Monday. I appreciate that many would like the Government to move faster but I’m glad that all those businesses and individuals who will be most impacted by the new environment on the 12th April have now been given certainty.

I for one can’t wait to get myself back at a pub (outside) with a pint in hand. Also rather keen to keen my increasingly unruly hair tamed but I will have to wait until my appointment on 23rd April for this.

Quite a wide ranging interview earlier with Michael Heaver. Covered the Police and Crime Bill, vaccine roll out and whether it should be mandatory for the Union flag to be flown at schools. Please watch