Thursday 6 January 2022 I would like to send my best wishes to all readers for the New Year. I’m sure we all want 2022 to be the year where we finally emerge from the pandemic and can live with and effectively manage any future variants of the covid virus. Our scientists have now reached […]
Wednesday 15 December 2021 As you will have seen in the news, the Chief Medical Officer has raised the UK COVID Alert to Level 4 due to the rapid spread of the new highly infectious Omicron variant, with cases of this strain doubling every two to three days. Folkestone and Hythe is no exception to […]
Thursday 9 December 2021 This week in Parliament, the Nationality and Borders Bill, a central part of the government’s New Plan for Immigration, progressed through its final stages in the House of Commons. I fully support this Bill. It will ensure that the United Kingdom has a firm, but fair, approach to immigration. It will […]
Thursday 2 December 2021 The recent deaths of 27 migrants in the Channel last week was an avoidable tragedy. Those who were on the capsized vessel were victims of both the sea and the ruthless criminal gangs that exploit innocent lives for profit. It has always been my firm belief that we must crack down […]
Wednesday 17 November 2021 Last Sunday I attended the Remembrance ceremony in Folkestone, the first full service that we have held since before the coronavirus pandemic. This is always an important and moving occasion, as we remember the sacrifices of those service personnel who gave their lives during the world wars, and in all conflicts […]
Wednesday 9 November 2021 We have not yet defeated the coronavirus, but the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine and the roll out of booster jabs have had a big impact on our ability to protect people from it. In the same way, the furlough scheme and business recovery support measures have not eradicated the economic […]
Wednesday 27 October 2021 Over the past week there has been considerable interest in the new Environment Bill that has been debated in the House of Commons and proposals contained within it relating to the treatment of raw sewage by the water companies. In particular concerns have been raised with me about the discharge of […]
Wednesday 20 October 2021 Last Friday, like so many other people, I was stunned to hear the news of the murder of my parliamentary colleague Sir David Amess. On Monday this week I attended the memorial service for members of the House of Commons and House of Lords at St Margaret’s church in Westminster, to […]
Wednesday 13 October 2021 Last week I attended the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester and was pleased to hear the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, address an issue that is very much close to home: the illegal migrant crossings in the English Channel. These crossings are both highly dangerous to those attempting them and concerning to […]
Wednesday 29 September 2021 This week the Department for Transport took decisive action to take over control of the South Eastern Railway franchise. This decision is no reflection on the professionalism or dedication of the front-line staff at South Eastern, who have worked hard to continue to serve their customer’s needs during the pandemic. Also, […]