Summer 2024
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*With my brilliant campaign team at the General Election count in Maidstone.*


Thank you to everyone who voted for me in July. It is the honour of my life serving as Faversham and Mid Kent’s MP and I am so proud to be re-elected. 

 

That said, It was a tough general election campaign. Many of you told me about your frustrations with the Conservatives - the message was loud and clear. Whether you voted for me or not, I am here for you if you need my help.

 

I know that people across the country voted for change, and I respect their decision. I will not oppose the Labour Government for the sake of it. That said, if they propose legislation that is not in the interests of the country or local people, I will fight our corner. 

 

The Government has already made decisions that were not in their manifesto with announcements to slash transport infrastructure investment, ditch social care reforms, means test winter fuel payments and put the country on notice for tax rises.

 

On top of these announcements the Government’s new planning reforms will totally change the look and feel of Kent. They will reverse all [my hard work]([link removed]) in persuading the last Government to drop mandatory housing targets and focus on higher density in urban areas. 

 

Instead, they will stop communities from having a meaningful say in the planning process and will reinstate housing targets for councils - while also cutting London’s housing targets from 100,000 to 80,000

 

This is a slap in the face for Kent.  Labour have chosen to prioritise building on our green fields over brownfield sites in London. It is the wrong choice, and will result in hundreds more new houses here, over and above current plans.

 

At the same time Labour is reviewing all planned transport investments, throwing into doubt the badly needed improvements in Bluebell Hill and [Brenley Corner]([link removed]). We are likely to end up with the worst of all worlds, more housing without the infrastructure to support it. 


*I secured funding for an upgrade to Brenley Corner, but Labour might now scrap it.*


I am also heartbroken that Labour has chosen to abandon the cap on social care costs. After years of political disagreement about social care, we had at last achieved a consensus - this was in both the Labour and Conservative manifestos. This will mean higher care costs for people who need it. 

 

The Government have also announced scrapping the extra cash for training care workers. This will force social care to continue to rely on low paid staff and will inevitably result in people paying more for a reduced service. It will also continue our reliance on workers from oversees which is another backward step.

 

And I have already been inundated with people contacting me who are worried sick about Labour’s choice to means test Winter Fuel Payments. This means that pensioners not receiving pension credits or other means-tested benefits will no longer get up to £300 to help with the cost of heating their homes. 

 

This will leave many older people who are just about managing to have to choose between heating and eating this winter. I am advising people who contact me about Winter Fuel Payments to double check to see if they are entitled to Pension Credits, and to sign up for them if they are.

 

This policy is particularly shocking when we remember that just over 2 months ago in PMQs, Keir Starmer asked Rishi Sunak about the Conservative Government cutting Winter Fuel Payments! 

 

After the Chancellor the Prime Minister and Cabinet said over 50 times that they would not increase taxes they have put the country on notice for future tax hikes. We will know in the Autumn whether they will tax our homes, pension or income. 

 

It’s clearly going to be a tough few years for us with this Government but I will keep my [election promises]([link removed]) and fight for Faversham and Mid Kent every step of the way.


**Opposing the Heathlands Garden Village**
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I will continue to stand side by side with SOHL and Lenham Parish Council to oppose Heathlands 

[Find out more here]([link removed])


**Happy 60th birthday Faversham Pools**
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We had good funding news earlier in the year which helps the pools stay open and serving local people. 
 

[Read more here]([link removed])


**Celebrating D-Day**
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It was such a privilege to join in the local D-Day celebrations.

[Check out my Facebook post]([link removed]) here 


**Bert's recovery**
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Thanks to everyone who helped Bert. He was the sick cat I found while out campaigning. He has now fully recovered and has been re-homed. 

[More about how I found him]([link removed]) here


**Celebrating Faversham Strike Force’s 25th birthday**
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I am continuing to support Faversham Strike Force as they go from strength to strength.

[Read more here]([link removed])


*#Dogsatpollingstations!*


**Missed bin collections**
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The councils have advised me to ask people to report their missed collections with them before taking it up with your councillor or me.

[Find out more here]([link removed])


**New law to help cats find their way home**
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One of the last laws the Conservative Government passed was to make microchipping compulsory for cats.

 

[Read more here]([link removed])


**Backing farmers**
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Ever since I was first elected I have always backed our farmers and rural economy and I will continue banging this drum as your MP. 

 

[Read more here]([link removed])

**Faversham Men’s Shed**
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It was great to visit the Men's Shed at the Abbey Physic Community Garden which is a new service to support men from across Kent.

[Read more here]([link removed])


**My plan to crack down on catapults**
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Catapults are not toys and I will keep pushing the Government to recognise this.

[Read more here]([link removed]-)
 


If there's anything else I can help you with please email me at [email protected]

Please pass this email onto anyone you think might be interested and encourage them to sign up to these newsletters on my website, [here]([link removed]).


*Copyright © 2023 Member of Parliament for Faversham and Mid-Kent, All rights reserved.*
 

House of Commons, SW1A 0AA, London

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