AN MP has defended a 19-day ‘holiday’ from Parliament.

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said the recess, which ended this week after a two-week Easter holiday and ahead of a six-week summer break, is due to a lack of ideas.

Mr Jones said: “I certainly have not been taking ‘holidays’. I am out all the time in the community carrying out constituency work.

“The simple truth is that the government is running out of ideas but it does not want to call a general election.

“We have actually got a zombie Parliament at the moment, there’s nothing going on. The Tories would rather campaign in the European and local elections than introduce new business.”

Conservative group leader Coun Peter Britcliffe agreed with Mr Jones.

He said: “I worked for a former MP and I agree most work is done in the constituency. I also think that the country does need a general election, every Parliament comes to a natural end.”

Taxpayers’ Alliance chief Jonathan Isaby criticised the recess.

He said: “Holding government to account is a vital part of an MP’s work and whenever the Commons is not sitting ministers can get away without being scrutinised.”

The recess from Parliament began on Thursday, May 15 and MPs did not return to Westminster until the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday, June 3.