As a former retailer, Andrea spoke passionately in the House of Commons yesterday in support of the Government's plans to devolve decision-making on Sunday trading to local authorities and to give control to businesses and workers to decide when it is best for them to trade.

Andrea spoke of her own experience as the manager of a large retail outlet, planning staffing and finding ways to satisfy the demand for shops to be open on a Sunday, when it is often most convenient for most people to shop.

She also talked about the limits to the argument that the legislation would negatively affect workers, again calling on her own experience as a manager. 

She said:

"Working on a Sunday was popular with students, those who wanted their first job, parents who found it easier to get babysitters for their children over the weekend and older people.

"If anything, I found it was the 20-something party-goers who wanted Saturday night on the razzle who were not so keen on working on a Sunday."

She also addressed the concerns raised by the Keep Sunday Special campaign:

"Some say that we need to keep Sunday special, and I respect that, but do they not shop on the internet on a Sunday? Do they not visit their local leisure centre on a Sunday? Goods are delivered on a Sunday, we eat out in restaurants on a Sunday and call centres are open on a Sunday.

"People in many sectors and professions work on a Sunday, and while there has been a lot of talk about rights, what about their rights?"

The changes were voted down when the SNP joined with Labour and Conservative rebels, despite the changes enjoying the support of a clear majority of English and Welsh MPs who's constituents would be affected by the legislation. It would have no impact in Scotland.

Speaking after the debate Andrea said:

"It's apalling the SNP chose to strike down these vital changes that would bring the law in England into line with that in Scotland.

"They have denied the people of England and Wales the opportunity to choose when they work and shop, and is yet another example of it being one rule for Scotland and another for the rest of the country."

You can listen back to Andrea's speech below.