Thank you to everyone who voted for me in July. It was a tough general election campaign. Many of you told me about your frustrations with the Conservatives - the message was loud and clear. But 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. The new Government has a huge majority to push through the changes it wants to make, but that does not mean it is unaccountable. As your MP I will be fighting our corner even against the odds.
As I write, Angela Rayner is at the despatch box in the House of Commons announcing the Government’s plans to force more homes to be built in the countryside. Yesterday the new Chancellor Rachel Reeves told us she is slashing transport infrastructure investment, ditching social care reforms and put the country on notice for tax rises. I know people voted for change but none of these things were in Labour’s manifesto.
The Government’s planning reforms will change the look and feel of Kent. They reverse all my hard work in persuading the last Government to drop mandatory housing targets and focus on building at higher density in urban areas. Instead, they will stop people from blocking new developments and reinstate housing targets for councils - while also cutting London’s housing targets from 100,000 to 80,000. This is a backward step.
One of my most vivid memories from the election campaign was the meeting in Lenham Community Centre about the Heathlands Development. It was a roasting evening and the hall was packed. A great job by the SOHL team organising it! As many of you will know, I have stood side by side with SOHL and Lenham Parish Council in their opposition to Heathlands and was pleased to show my support at that meeting. I will continue to work with SOHL and the Parish Council to oppose the Heathlands Development – alongside campaigning against the new Government’s planning reforms. We all know we need housing, but that’s not a reason to concrete over swathes of Kent’s farmland.
I will also be scrutinising the Government’s transport policies as the new Shadow Secretary of State for Transport. At the top of my list is the Government’s plan to review and scrap hundreds of infrastructure projects including the upgrades for Bluebell Hill and Brenley Corner. And I’ve already asked the Transport Secretary about the extra funding promised for fixing potholes.
