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 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. We are likely to end up with the worst of all worlds, more housing without the infrastructure to support it.
