|
|
Welcome to my July newsletter, with updates of what I have been up to as your MP this month to support the residents of East Thanet. You can sign up to receive the newsletter by clicking here – please do share the link with your friends and family. If there is anything you think I should know, or anything you think I could help you with, please get in touch by clicking here. |
Visiting local businesses after violent disorder in Broadstairs. |
Outbreak of violent disorder in Broadstairs |
The violent disorder we saw recently in Broadstairs was completely unacceptable, with scenes of drunken brawling and property damage that overwhelmed the police. Straight after this incident I visited businesses in Broadstairs town centre to speak directly with business owners and residents, many of whom had been left frightened and shaken.
I also held a public event attended by more than 100 local residents, who were able to push for more action from the police, Southeastern rail, and the council. I am pleased that Thanet is getting more police resources to deal with crime over the summer, and will continue pushing for action to preserve the peace of our fantastic beaches and town centres. |
Southern Water CEO’s outrageous cash-for-failure |
This month it was shocking to learn that the CEO of Southern Water is set to receive a £600,000 payout on top of his £687,000 salary, taking his total pay to around £1.4 million. In response, I coordinated a letter – signed by all the Labour MPs in Southern Water’s catchment area – calling for him to turn down this outrageous payment for failure. You can read the full letter here. I am pleased the Environment Secretary, who also called the payment ‘outrageous’, has confirmed that this so-called ‘incentive’ scheme was introduced prior to Labour’s Water (Special Measures) Act banned such payments earlier this year, meaning they cannot happen again in the future. |
Raising Southern Water's outrageous executive pay with the Environment Secretary in parliament this month |
Standing up for cheaper energy bills, climate action, and green jobs |
I have spent my career campaigning for clean, homegrown power that will cut energy bills for ordinary households, so it is deeply depressing to see Reform UK threatening British businesses who want to invest in renewable power. It is clear Reform UK’s ideological war against clean energy could cost hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country and damage action on climate change, which is why I wrote to Reform’s Deputy Leader, highlighting the fact that the clean energy economy grew by more than 10% – three times higher than the economic average – last year and supports nearly a million jobs across the UK. Read more here. |
My campaign against Kent County Council cuts in Thanet |
As many of you know, I have been campaigning strongly against planned cuts by the Conservatives to vital services in Thanet like the Millmead Children’s Centre in Margate, Pie Factory Music in Ramsgate, and the Sarah Thorne Theatre in Broadstairs. With Reform UK now in control of Kent County Council, I wrote to the new leader urging her to reconsider these damaging cuts, so I’m bitterly disappointed to have received a response confirming that these cuts are still going ahead – something I will continue to staunchly oppose. Cutting these services was the wrong decision under the Conservatives, and it’s still the wrong decision now. The rosettes may have changed colour, but it doesn’t feel like much else has changed in Kent under this new Reform council. |
Meeting with the Foreign Secretary earlier this year to push for more action to stop the war in Gaza |
Recognising a Palestinian state |
For months I have been urging the UK to recognise a Palestinian state, so the announcement by the Prime Minister that the UK will do so at the UN General Assembly in September is a momentous one. I strongly welcome this decision, and the demand that Hamas must disarm and accept it will have no role in the governing of Gaza. It has been clear for some time that Israel has no interest in ending the war, returning to negotiations to get the remaining hostages freed, or committing to a two-state solution. It is Israel’s actions that have left the UK – along with France – with no choice but to push for recognition now while there is still a Palestine left to recognise. |
I have visited some fantastic local organisations and initiatives this month, including: I hosted an event with social care providers in Thanet with the Kent Integrated Care Alliance about the challenges facing the care sector and what I can do to help. I also visited residents and staff at Chartwell House Care Home in Westwood. I met business and creatives form J1H Studio at Westwood Industrial Estate, to discuss the challenges small businesses face and the importance of supporting creative enterprise. I was given a tour of Foreland Fields Special School to find out about the challenges facing SEND families and the innovative ways the school supports students with complex needs. I was shown around Cliftonville Primary School and met the Junior Leadership Teams and their families at their end of term celebration. I helped to formally open Ramsgate Day and met stall holders at the teenage market aas well as visiting local businesses who took part.
|
|
Visiting the J1H Studio on the Westwood Industrial Estate |
This month me and my team have been able to assist several residents to resolve issues that they’ve been experiencing. I resolved an issue with a constituent’s long drawn-out visa application. I helped to arrange a specialist medical appointment that the constituent had been waiting months to attend. I wrote to the DWP and the child maintenance service on behalf of several constituents to ensure they could receive money they were entitled to. I helped Ramsgate FC get answers to a long-standing question with Thanet District Council.
I’m always happy to support residents. If you think I could be of assistance, please get in touch by clicking here and I will see what I can do to help. |
|
|
|
