Whilst I am primarily an angler and only an occasional shooter, I am proud to have been asked to be a Centenary Patron of the British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC).

Looking back over my diary for the last couple of weeks illustrated just what a hectic period we had just experienced. My Westminster staff had taken annual leave to work on the Obama campaign in America and a week’s study leave for Viki in my constituency office meant that we were a little stretched, so apologies if some of you are still waiting for replies to correspondence.

There is no doubt that the global financial crises put the judgment of our politicians to the test and put the spotlight onto their policies and competence.

It is about time that the angling world woke up to the consequences of the Severn Barrage to both migratory fish runs in the Wye, Usk and Severn catchments as well as to the impact on sea fishing in the Bristol Channel.

The summer parliamentary recess gives me a chance to lead a more normal existence.

Martin gives his impressions of Labour’s 2008 Annual Conference in Manchester.

This year National Fishing Week fell at the end of July, and in addition to taking part in local fishing events in my constituency, I also organised for the very first time, a charity angling competition between MPs, a team from the Metropolitan Police and young people from the charity Thames21, in the beautiful surroundings of Lake John fishery in Waltham Cross.

As I write this the coarse fishing season has just opened and I have found time to cast a line in rivers and lakes both at home and abroad.

Last week saw the ridiculous spectacle of the former Shadow Conservative Home Secretary contesting a by-election in his own constituency, caused by his own resignation following a disagreement with his own leader over the Tories’ approach to the pre-charge detention of terrorist suspects.

On Saturday I was in Broad Street, on a Labour Party stall promoting the forthcoming 60th Anniversary of the NHS.