We should never forget debt we owe Servicemen and women

As some MPs having been found guilty of fiddling their expenses, committing perjury and, in one case, sexually harassing a vulnerable constituent, it is right we can be held to account if we do something wrong or lose the trust of the people we work for.

The Government has now put forward a Bill, which I have supported. But many want a tougher, more robust recall mechanism. Therefore, I have been supporting separate proposals by fellow MP Zac Goldsmith, and amendments to the Government’s Bill.

Sadly, despite voting for the amendments (and against the government) the amendments didn’t pass, as the majority of Labour, Lib Dem and Conservative MPs felt differently. I feel the unamended Bill still represents a step in the right direction, but could have been even better if MPs had been braver.

More importantly, it was Remembrance Sunday at the weekend. This year marks the centenary of the beginning of the First World War and the year our troops finally came home from Afghanistan. My thoughts are with those who gave their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today.

In addition to those who have died, such as Lance Corporals Michael Foley and Jordan Bancroft, many others in Pendle carry the mental and physical scars of service in Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Ireland, the Falklands and other military campaigns.

I attended as many events as possible on Sunday including wreath-laying services or parades in Newchurch, Colne, Barrowford, Nelson and Barnoldswick.

I hope readers attended a service too, wearing a poppy with pride and thinking about those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We should never forget the huge debt of gratitude we owe to our servicemen and women.