One of the legacies of the last government is John Prescott’s disastrous stint in charge of planning. Whilst, the new government has made a fresh start - scrapping the South East Plan (with its arbitrary housing targets) and announcing plans to tackle ‘garden-grabbing’ and illegal traveller sites - it will not be possible to roll […]
Read MoreI have just walked out of the House of Commons, having listened to - and spoken in - the budget debate. This budget was never going to leave a smile on anyone’s face. But that is not how it should be judged. In the wake of the worst recession - and burdened with largest budget […]
Read MoreI was relieved to learn that the Treasury has approved the funding to enable the construction of Walton Bridge to go ahead. We face difficult decisions given the public finances, but this is an essential piece of infrastructure . Surrey CC made a convincing case for the project to proceed, and I followed up with […]
Read MoreI have written a piece for Con Home today on the ‘Special Relationship’ between Britain and the US. You can read it here.
Read MoreYesterday, the new ministerial team at the Department for Communities and Local Government appeared before Parliament. It was an important first opportunity for MPs to test the new government’s commitment to strengthening respect for communities and local democracy - and the early signs are good. I had been concerned that the Conservative pledge in opposition […]
Read MoreYesterday, I delivered my maiden speech in the House of Commons, during the Constitutional and Home Affairs debate on the Queen’s Speech. I paid tribute to my predecessor Ian Taylor, highlighted the poor funding deal we get from central government for local services - and its ramifications - and made the case for reversing the […]
Read MoreShocked, I sat sweltering in a classroom at Birzeit University. I was out on the West Bank, in the summer of 1998, studying the Arab-Israeli conflict and working for a Palestinian negotiator from the Oslo peace process. A Palestinian lecturer was asking students provocative questions about the conflict. He paused, and asked the Palestinians present: […]
Read MoreThis week, I have been down to Cobham Day center, Walton Charity and Lower Green Community Association to hear how they are faring in the aftermath of recession. The voluntary sector suffers in any economic downturn, but I was delighted to see all three thriving despite the financial pressures. The voluntary sector play an important […]
Read MoreThis week, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles announced that the government is scrapping all Regional Strategies, which impose top-down housing targets on local communities. Here in Elmbridge, the South East Plan had piled the pressure on our greenbelt, and other open spaces, by dictating the building of almost 6,000 new housing units. Mr Pickles has written […]
Read MoreOn Friday, I visited Cobham Sports Association with Councillor Jan Fuller. It is an amazing local sports club, with great facilities and a strong family dimension. We met the Under 17’s Rugby team (below), who recently stormed 55-3 to win the national championships, a fantastic achievement. There was all the camaraderie you expect at a […]
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