• A new commons Select Committee aims to represent views of people not politicians.

It's off to a great start by choosing a subject that terrifies MPs. Group cowardice bandages the mouths of politicians on the sensible use of drugs. They fear jibes of 'going to pot' or encouraging drug use.

Braver politicians in Portugal, US and Holland have reformed their drug policies with legalisation that has cut drug use and harm and saved £billions in police and prison costs. Cannabis is ingested in ways that avoid the health problems of smoking. Medical users of cannabis are liberated to use their medicine of choice.

My thanks to the committee for appointing me to lead the debate. I will present both sides of the argument and hope that MPs will voice the common sense informed views of their constituents and resist the temptation to bury their heads in the sands.

• Facts of fantasy? One candidate in the Newport West General Election tweeted that the would-be developer of the Sainsbury's site also makes flying cars. Mind boggling. And untrue-of course.

Twice before would-be developers attacked me for slamming their plans. I criticised both in the Commons under privilege. Angelo Casfikis planned to re-open the polluting noisy Rogerstone Power Station on the site where the fine Afon Village now stands. The other, Brian Walker, planned a Children's Play Centre in Newport City Centre. He had 7 previous businesses- 4 of which burned down and 3 were wound-up with debts. Both complained that I was discouraging local jobs. You bet! It's never jobs at any price. Newport must not be blighted for years to line the pockets of developers. The day when a local MP discourages good local jobs is the day when pigs -and cars - will fly.

• Conservative power in parliament is already fragile. The combined number of Labour, SNP plus Conservative rebels have scored two victories. The Tory plan to bring cruelty back into fox hunting flopped. The Tory party split on the EU lost the vote on plans to unfairly influence the EU vote.

Meanwhile, Labour's divisions may be healing. The party should adopt the mission of ONE LEADER (the democratic winner), ONE PARTY (no splits) and ONE ENEMY (this awful Government). A united party will curb the excesses of Toryism. These are dangerous, unpredictable and exciting political times.