I will not be supporting the agreement proposed last week by the Prime Minister, for the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. My concerns are that it does not deliver the Brexit that people voted for, and that it could leave the UK locked into a relationship with the EU that would […]
I was shocked to see the images of the terrible fire that engulfed Morrison’s in Cheriton Road, Folkestone last week. Like everyone else I am grateful for the brave work of the fire service in tackling the blaze, and for all the staff at the store, who made sure that everyone was safely evacuated. Looking […]
Last Sunday I attended a special service at the Hythe war memorial to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. The Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Lord De L’Isle, along with the Town Mayor of Hythe, Cllr Paul Peacock, and Major Dennis Bradley DL, led the unveiling of a new largescale poppy […]
On Monday the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond delivered his budget for the year ahead, and was able to confirm that the national debt is now falling as a proportion to the size of the economy. In fact, in the last year, debt has fallen faster than was predicted, which has given the Chancellor […]
Last week I organised a meeting at the House of Commons with Cllr Patricia Rolfe, the Deputy Mayor of New Romney, and the Health and Social Care Minister Steve Barclay. We discussed a number of issues relating to funding and delivering front line care in the Folkestone and Hythe District, with a particular reference to […]
It was reported in the media last week that the millionaire businessman Arron Banks intends to write to every voter in the Folkestone and Hythe constituency criticising me over my position on Brexit. Mr Banks has no connection to this area, he lives on his country estate near Bristol, spends part of his time tending […]
Last Friday I met with the film Director Danny Boyle at the Quarterhouse theatre in Folkestone, to discuss a powerful and moving project he will be working on in the town this autumn. Danny is well known for films like Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire, for which he won the Best Director award at the Oscars […]
Last Wednesday I attended the special exhibition at the Customs House in Folkestone, for the detailed plans for the first phase of the Seafront development. It has been proposed that the first buildings will be constructed at the eastern end of the site, close to the coastal park and the Leas Lift. It is excellent […]
Following the meeting of European leaders in Salzburg last week, there has been a renewed focus on the Brexit negotiations, with people understandably wanting to know where we stand now. Firstly, let’s be clear that these talks are not about whether or not we leave the European Union, but what our future relationships will be […]
Last Sunday, I once again attended the commemorative service at St Stephens’s Church in Lympne to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Britain. I would like to congratulate the Chairman of the Hythe and Romney Marsh branch of the Royal Air Forces Association, Roger Townsend, and all of the officers of the association, for […]