Kent Messenger Columns

Every week I write a column in the Dartford Messenger, archived articles can be found here

• Something for nothing society

  Date: Mon 27th February 2012
   One issue that people will often raise with me is what the Government is doing to rid ourselves of the something for nothing society. People justifiably believe that the welfare state must act as a mechanism of getting people back to work where possible. This is why I was pleased when we launc... more >

• 30th anniversary of the Falklands War

  Date: Tue 21st February 2012
  As many readers will be aware, 2012 marks the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War.  I believe it is very important that we commemorate this event and remember all those who served and those who gave their lives during the conflict.   The Government is clear that the future of the Falkl... more >

• PFI Agreements

  Date: Mon 13th February 2012
   Last week the Department for Health has announced that it estimates that over the next 25 years £1.5 billion be paid to hospitals such as Darent Valley that were in receipt of Private Finance Initiatives.  This will help ensure that the Trusts remain sustainable in the future, despi... more >

• Punishment of Offenders Bill

  Date: Tue 7th February 2012
  Whilst media attention has recently focussed on the Labour Peers in the House of Lords overturning attempts by the Government to place a limit on how much a person can claim in benefits, the House of Lords has also begun looking at our proposals for crime and punishment. The House of Commons has pa... more >

• Benefit Cap

  Date: Mon 30th January 2012
  In the past few weeks there has been a lot of discussion around the Government’s proposed benefit cap.  The proposal is that we limit the amount of benefit that people can receive to £26 000 per household with a lone parent or couple. This equates to around £500 per week. In s... more >

• Thames Estuary Airport

  Date: Mon 23rd January 2012
  Last week the Government announced that a consultation will take place on the issue of a building of a new Thames Estuary airport.  This is in response to concerns that London Heathrow and Gatwick are now reaching their maximum capacity for flights.  Air travel is clearly on the increase a... more >

• Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

  Date: Mon 16th January 2012
    This year, in June, we will celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year, certainly a momentous occasion for this Country. I agree with the comments made by the Education Secretary, Michael Gove MP that the Government must do something to mark the Queen’s contribution to the Britis... more >

• Cutting red tape for businesses

  Date: Mon 9th January 2012
   One of the challenges that the coalition Government has had to face is how to help new and small businesses flourish in a challenging economy.  Over the past year I have had the opportunity to meet with a wide range of businesses in and around Dartford and see the work that they do and he... more >

• Happy New Year

  Date: Tue 3rd January 2012
   Many people this week had a rainy and gloomy start back to work or back to school.  For those who have been able to enjoy some time off over Christmas, the first week of the New Year can feel a bit flat as people return to their normal routine. The New Year can also be a time for refle... more >

• Christmas Week

  Date: Tue 3rd January 2012
   This week most of us will still be finishing the turkey and enjoying meeting up with friends and family and celebrating New Year.  I hope that everyone has enjoyed Christmas and we should also spare a thought for the increasing number of people who work over the festive season.  Doct... more >

• Arrow Riding Centre

  Date: Mon 12th December 2011
  On Sunday I had the pleasure of attending the carol concert at the Arrow Riding Centre for the disabled in Darenth for their annual Christmas concert.  The carol concert was very well attended and raised much needed funds for the centre.  It was fantastic to see so many of those who use th... more >

• Autumn Statement

  Date: Mon 5th December 2011
  Last week saw the Chancellor set out his spending plans as part of his Autumn Statement. In it he outlined many of the measures he is introducing to reduce the massive deficit we inherited from the previous Government. For every four pounds that we spend as a country one pound is spent servicing the... more >

• Hayden Youth Association

  Date: Mon 28th November 2011
  In Dartford we are extremely fortunate to have a range of excellent sporting facilities and I recently had the pleasure of opening a new football pitch for Hayden Youth Association which I believe will be a valuable addition to these.   After many years of planning and fund raising, Hayden Yo... more >

• Fuel Prices

  Date: Tue 22nd November 2011
   In Westminster last week I took part in a debate on the cost of petrol prices.  The last Government increased the cost of petrol twelve times and we are now dealing with the consequences of this. Petrol prices are painfully high at the moment and it was right that Parliament debated the ... more >

• Teacher Recruitment

  Date: Mon 14th November 2011
  On Monday, I had the opportunity to meet with Head teachers and representatives from Dartford’s secondary schools in Westminster to hear their views on current education policy.   In Dartford we are extremely fortunate to have a host of secondary schools all offering something different... more >

• Grammar School Debate

  Date: Mon 7th November 2011
  As a former Grammar School pupil myself, I have benefited first hand from an outstanding Grammar School education and the opportunities it has afforded me.  I believe that the Government should continue to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of Grammar Schools and that we must all recogn... more >

• Occupy London Protest

  Date: Mon 31st October 2011
    In the last few weeks a group known as ‘Occupy London’ have set up an encampment outside the Stock Exchange at St Paul’s Cathedral.  This has caused a huge amount of disruption to those who use the Cathedral and for people working in the local area.  I believe th... more >

• Now is not the time for a referendum

  Date: Tue 25th October 2011
    The main event at Westminster this week has been the debate on a possible referendum over Britain’s membership of the European Union. This is an issue that has caused problems for my party for some years. The debate was prompted by an e-petition which called for this debate. These peti... more >

• Supporting International Development

  Date: Mon 17th October 2011
    It is 50 years since Harold Macmillan, a Conservative Prime Minister set up the Department for International Development.  We should be proud that Britain has led the way on the issue of international development and that the work carried out by successive Governments has had such a pos... more >

• Prison System Overhaul

  Date: Mon 10th October 2011
   Last week Justice Secretary Ken Clarke announced that the Government is to fundamentally overhaul our prison system by ensuring that prisoners work during their sentence rather than sitting idle.  Several large firms have been keen to support prisoners in work and by 2020 the Justice Secr... more >