Last Thursday was an awful night. Thanks to the amazing efforts in Scotland by Ruth Davidson and her team, the Conservatives only had a net loss of 13 seats: however, we lost 33 sitting Conservative MPs.

In February 2011 I was part of the last UK parliamentary group to enter Syria, as the Arab spring began to spread through the region.

Last year, I used this column to argue for NATO to undertake a new role, and to guarantee proportionate responses against military targets for any regime anywhere in the world that violated international norms, such as the use of chemical weapons.

The current Government is managing our great nation through a period of huge change. Much focus has, rightly, been upon the efforts to secure our exit from the European Union and forge a new relationship with our friends and allies on the continent.

A week ago, we were dealt the apparently shocking news that the leader of the Scottish National Party would like Scotland to be independent, and is willing to take advantage of any situation to make this happen.

The triggering of Article 50 gives us an historic opportunity to redefine our place in the world. Before the referendum I argued on this website that in leaving the EU we can become “an increasingly agile, pro-business country, leading the world in innovation and technology while remaining a political and moral power”.

The position of Speaker of the House of Commons is perhaps the most prestigious role in the Palace of Westminster, and by extension, in legislatures throughout the world.

I am delighted that our Prime Minister will, at the end of this week, become the first world leader to meet with President Trump since his inauguration.

It has been something of an odd week. Some of you reading this column will have noticed that I was in the news, as I found myself one of those who were affected by Donald Trump’s travel ban.