Final choice
As I write this column there are only four remaining candidates in the selection process for a new Conservative leader and successor to Theresa May as Prime Minister.
By Friday, when the Courier is published, we should know the final two who will go head-to-head in a ballot open to Conservative party members across the country.
Westminster protocol means that as a member of the Government Whip's team I cannot state publicly how I voted or my intentions in forthcoming Commons ballots.
But what I can say is that my judgements have been based purely on what I consider to be in the best interest of my constituents and the country as a whole.
I encourage party members in Dumfries and Galloway to use their votes and I hope the announcement of a winner on July 22 will herald the final chapter of this period of great uncertainty.
Guid day out
I was pleased, apart from a small shower, it was mostly dry weather for the annual Guid Nychburris Festival in Dumfries.
Cornet Jack Hastings and his Lass Amye Marchbank along with Queen of the South Abbie Davidson fulfilled their duties with style and dignity.
The Midsteeple looked magnificent as the cavalcade galloped up Bank Street in front of thousands of well-wishers, including myself and my Dumfriesshire Clydesdale and Tweeddale colleague David Mundell, MP.
As always at this time of year, I would like to pay tribute to all the volunteers who work hard to keep all our march-ridings, galas and other festivities going across the constituency every year.
D-Day heroes
There was some very moving ceremonies at the beginning of the month to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
We owe so much to the servicemen and women who put their life on the line for our freedom in World War Two and other conflicts and it is right that we continue to acknowledge their contribution.
I was pleased to learn that 95-year-old Dumfries D-Day veteran John Ian Greig, who was shot and injured during the Normandy landing operations, had the opportunity to attend the special services held at Bayeux, the first French city liberated after the Allied landings.
Parliamentary commitments meant I was unable to attend the anniversary commemoration at Dumfries War Memorial but I was pleased my wife Ann was able to represent me by laying a wreath.
Both our thoughts were with the D-Day veterans in the consituency and further afield.
Zero target
I'm pleased in the closing days of her premiership, Mrs May has confirmed the Government commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions to almost zero by 2050.
There is nothing more precious than our environment, and we are fortunate from that point of view in this region, but I believe this achievable goal to combat climate change is a positive step.
As the Prime Minister stated there is a 'moral duty to leave the world in a better condition than what we inherited.'
