MPs return to Westminster from their Christmas holidays next week. What does the parliamentary agenda have in store for them and when are Liberal Democrat ministers in action?

On Monday, it’s Education questions, followed by the completion of Commons stages for the Water Bill. I wonder how quickly the first Blackadder reference will creep in.

On Tuesday, Nick Clegg’s in action at Deputy Prime Minister’s Questions. Then the Mesothelioma Bill completes its Commons stages.

Wednesday sees the first PMQs of the year. I can’t see any prospect of this weekly pantomime becoming any less depressing. It would be so nice if our MPs could actually behave like grown ups. That’s followed by an Opposition Day debate on a subject of Labour’s choice.

Thursday is a backbench day, starting with Environment questions and then on to backbench debates on inter city rail investment and rural communities.

Adjournment debates

These debates can often provide some of the most interesting parliamentary moments of the week. They are usually very poorly attended, often just the MP who has brought it and a Minister, but they are on a wide range of subjects. This week we have:

Monday: Stella Creasy on access to justice while abroad

Tuesday: Alec Shelbrooke on improving dementia services in the UK – will Norman Lamb be replying to that one?

Wednesday: Daniel Kawczynski on the work of UK Trade and Industry in the West Midlands

Thursday: Mike Gapes on future of Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust.

Westminster Hall

The only Liberal Democrat to have a Westminster Hall debate this week is David Heath, on Wednesday at 9:30 am. It’s on Planning reform and local plans.

Committees

Constitutional geeks will be interested in the Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee’s evidence session on the role of the judiciary in a codified constitution  which takes place on Thursday at 10 am.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings. You can find her on Bluesky at caronmlindsay.bsky.social