Staycation or foreign climes? Shropshire and Mid Wales politicians reveal holiday plans

Of course not all that time will be spent relaxing, but it does leave plenty of holiday options open for our MPs.

While our elected members insist they will still be doing plenty of work during the summer, they, like the rest of us, are also enjoying the chance to recharge their batteries.

Some today revealed they would be embarking on a 'staycation' this year, following the trend in which British-bound holidays are up at the cost of foreign trips.

Others admitted they were in need of some serious foreign sun.

The mix reflects the trend with all 650 MPs in Westminster

A recent study showed that three quarters of MPs expect to holiday abroad this summer, with Labour MPs more likely to jet off than their Conservative counterparts.

The survey found 74 per cent of MPs said they are likely to take a break abroad with the Parliamentary summer recess under way, a figure slightly down on last summer when 77 per cent planned a foreign trip.

MPs are also more likely to take a holiday abroad than the general public. A total of 54 per cent of them took a foreign holiday last year, according to travel organisation Abta.

More than three quarters of Labour MPs are going abroad, compared to 69 per cent of Conservatives.

But that is something of a change. In 2015, 82 per cent of Conservative MPs said they would be likely to go abroad, compared with 73 per cent of Labour MPs.

All of our region's MPs are now Tory and most insist their holiday plans are modest this year.

Philip Dunne, Ludlow MP, said: "My family and I will be travelling to Scotland again this year for our summer holiday.

"We'll be visiting Edinburgh to watch our son perform at the Fringe, and to take the salute one night at the Military Tattoo, then on to Inverness to enjoy the highlands.

"There is much to see and do when taking a holiday in the UK. The weaker value of the pound, as an immediate consequence of Brexit, may encourage others to see what's on offer in the UK this summer."

Telford MP, Lucy Allan, said she is mostly planning to remain in the UK – but admitted the lure of a sunshine foreign break may just be too much and a late booking was likely to be a late summer option.

She said: "This year I am planning on staying the in the UK visiting family and friends – although I am still looking for a last-minute getaway for a bit of serious sunshine."

For his break, Wrekin MP, Mark Pritchard, is also looking for a short trip abroad, saying he would be taking in the "sights of Herefordshire, Shropshire and Italy".

Staying close to home was Glyn Davies, Montgomeryshire MP, who said: "I'm 'holidaying' in Montgomeryshire.

"I spend so much of my time in Westminster that I prefer to be out and about meeting the people I represent."

Set to enjoy a more far-flung retreat was Shrewsbury and Atcham's Polish-born MP Daniel Kawczynski, who will be returning to his homeland for the summer with a week's holiday at the seaside town of Sopot.

The Conservative visited the town with his family as a youngster and said: "Sopot is a very quiet little seaside resort and I am going there for a week.

"I love going back to Poland and I am trying to improve my Polish so it is going to be a good chance for that."

Mr Kawczynski said that the town is usually very warm during the summer but that the Baltic Sea lives up to its name. He said: "When people use the saying 'it's Baltic' to say it is cold they use it for a reason, if you go in the sea you need to brace yourself because it is Baltic!"

Mark Tanzer, Abta chief executive, said his organisation carried out the survey to make a number of political points. He said: "Peak holiday season is well and truly upon us and, after an incredibly eventful few months on the domestic political stage, our survey shows that a majority of MPs are clearly looking forward to a holiday abroad this summer.

"As they enjoy their break in the sun, we'd ask them to think about the high level of air passenger duty they and their constituents will have paid on flights, and to support Abta's push for the Government to scrap or reduce the tax for the benefit of the economy as well as local families."

One Shropshire name is missing from today's list of holidaying MPs. Owen Paterson was unavailable for comment, although it is known he has a penchant for France.