This week I have been at the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show. It is wonderful to visit the show especially because other local shows such as the Dorset County Show had to be cancelled this year. I will be there today (Thursday), so if you are there too make sure you pay a visit to my stand.

Whilst I was hoping to be down in Dorset yesterday, the awful developments in Afghanistan required me to return to Westminster for the recall of Parliament. Following the rapid collapse of the government, the country is once again under Taliban rule.

The situation has rapidly escalated into something very serious. For the President of the United States to say so clearly that what has happened would not is of a wider concern to me as it should be to all of us.

The Taliban have assured the world that they will form an ‘open and inclusive Islamic government’, but these words ring hollow for millions of people. Reports have already emerged of strict Sharia law being imposed, and of targeted killings. The president of Afghanistan has fled in fear of his life.

The abrupt removal of Western influence show us how terrorist groups can take advantage so quickly. The removal of US air support has left the Afghan National Security Forces in a position of weakness such that they are unable to defend their country.

The Government is working hard on a repatriation effort of British citizens and others who are at risk. These people are refugees in desperate need of protection and Britain should play its full part in giving them safe haven.