Kent Messenger Columns

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

• Global Warming

  Date: Tue 4th October 2011
   The recent good weather has been a real treat for us all. Seaside towns enjoyed an unexpected surge in trade over the weekend as people rushed to the coast in their thousands to enjoy our belated, Indian summer. The terrible summer we had seems to have increased the enthusiasm of people making... more >

• Eurozone Debt Crisis

  Date: Tue 27th September 2011
   The problems in the Eurozone seem to get worse as each day goes by. The Eurozone countries are currently trying to agree a package of measures that will tackle the Eurozone debt crisis. It seems to me that it could all be too late. Too much debt led to the bailing out of Portugal, Ireland and... more >

• Gareth praises Home Start and its volunteers

  Date: Sun 25th September 2011
      Press Release     Gareth Johnson MP for Dartford   ... more >

• Apprenticeships

  Date: Tue 13th September 2011
   Last week the Government pledged to reduce the red tape deterring employers from taking on apprentices.  The Department for Business Innovation and Skills announced a number of measures that will make it easier for firms with Government contracts to train apprentices.  These measures... more >

• Health and Social Care Bill

  Date: Tue 6th September 2011
  This week the third reading of the Health and Social Care Bill will take place in Parliament.  Over the past year the Government has sought advice from healthcare professionals and patients on these issues and I believe the proposed changes to the NHS are to be welcomed. I support this Bill and... more >

• Dartford Crossing Consultation

  Date: Tue 30th August 2011
   As most readers will be aware, the Department of Transport has launched a consultation on the future of the Dartford Crossing and its charging regimes. This consultation concludes on 23rd September 2011 and people can join me by making their views known on this issue in a number of ways. ... more >

• Libya

  Date: Mon 22nd August 2011
   One of the most difficult decisions I have had to make since becoming an MP was in February when I voted for military action in Libya. We knew that Colonel Gadaffi was using his armed forces to kill thousands of his own people and we just couldn’t sit back and watch. It was a poignant ti... more >

• Sport in Dartford

  Date: Mon 15th August 2011
   In Dartford we are fortunate to have a large number of sporting facilities and clubs on our doorstep.  Whether your interest is in football, cricket or another sport there is plenty of opportunity to get involved in Dartford. Princes Park is a fantastic venue to watch football at and we ... more >

• Riots

  Date: Tue 9th August 2011
     We have all been shocked by the scenes of rioting on our televisions over the last few days. It is many years since we have seen such scenes in the capital. At the time of writing, Dartford has thankfully been spared any significant problems but there remains the possibility of mindles... more >

• Dartford Historical Society in Parliament

  Date: Mon 1st August 2011
    Recently I took Dartford Historical Society on a tour of Parliament which was of course of great interest to the group as Parliament is steeped in rich and interesting History.  However, Dartford too has a rich history which pre-dates that of Parliament. Dartford town centre and the ... more >

• MIND Mentors needed

  Date: Mon 25th July 2011
  I recently had the pleasure of visiting Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Mind, the local mental health charity which helps some of the most vulnerable in our society to cope with their problems. They are based in the old Almshouses at the bottom of West Hill. According to the Mental Health Foundat... more >

• 2011 Dartford Festival

  Date: Mon 18th July 2011
   Last weekend Dartford Festival celebrated its 75th Anniversary with yet another enjoyable weekend of entertainment for families from across the local area. The weather was unkind over the weekend but Dartfordians showed their resilience in their hundreds and ensured th... more >

• Littlebrook Power Station

  Date: Mon 11th July 2011
    I recently visited one of Dartford’s true icons – Littlebrook Power Station. The oil -fired power station is the fourth to be built on the site is owned by NPower. Its 720 foot high chimney has looked over Dartford for more than thirty years.   I remember during the Miners... more >

• Fetes

  Date: Wed 6th July 2011
   Both the Stone Fete and Longfield Festival were huge successes at the weekend. It appears that a record number of local people enjoyed both of these established events which provided a whole range of entertainment for families living in the area. The Stone Fete took place on the Recreation gr... more >

• Dangerous Driving

  Date: Tue 28th June 2011
    I recently took part in a House of Commons debate to call on the maximum sentence for dangerous driving to be increased. Currently the most a Judge can give the worst kind of offender is two years imprisonment. This is in my opinion wholly inadequate. Even when the most outrageous acts of d... more >

• Bank Holidays

  Date: Tue 21st June 2011
    In Parliament recently we have seen several Private Member’s Bills looking at which Bank holidays we should have and whether we should have so many during the Spring. Whilst there are good arguments for moving a public holiday from the spring to the autumn, the biggest problem I believ... more >

• National Citizens Service

  Date: Thu 16th June 2011
    In the coming weeks A-level and GCSE exams will be coming to an end and students in Dartford will have the summer break to look forward to.  Whilst this is a well deserved break for students and a chance to relax it is also the opportunity to gain new skills and take part in different a... more >

• Bin Collections

  Date: Thu 16th June 2011
    As Dartford’s MP I want to see Dartford’s residents have the final say over local services. This though should not just apply at Local elections but throughout the year. One example of this is the new power for local residents to veto Council Tax rises. Whilst the local freeze in... more >

• Charity cricket game, everyone welcome

  Date: Fri 27th May 2011
   On Sunday 12th June at Hesketh Park I am hosting a charity cricket game to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Royal British Legion. The event will see a team of local public figures take on Dartford Cricket Club. Several local businesses and organisations have kindly given their support f... more >

• Bluewater holds topping out celebration

  Date: Mon 23rd May 2011
  The Events centre at Bluewater Shopping Centre held its topping out celebration this week with the final part of the structure of the venue being put in place. The Events Centre itself will open later in the year and host a whole range of different shows and exhibitions. The Centre is just anothe... more >