August 2015 E-Bulletin
Locally, I have been mixing the business of catching up with many of our local community figureheads - from the police, Church and councils - to enjoying various local summer fairs and sportsdays.

Up at Westminster, the Summer Budget has dominated the month. I also responded to the first debate on our human rights reform plans.  I will be taking two weeks off next month (no more!), so my next bulletin will be at the end of September.

Best wishes,


Conservative MP
for Esher & Walton


Dom Joins the 'Top of the Class' final
organised by Walton Rotary Club


Early in the month, I met up with Tom Shoveller, the MD of South West Trains, to talk through local concerns and improvements - including overcrowding, value for money, investment in extra carriages, the development of platforms 1 to 4 at Waterloo, the franchise agreement and Cross Rail 2. I also met up with Elmbridge Police Inspector, Sarah Milligan, the leaders of Elmbridge and Surrey councils, Embridge council CEO Rob Moran, the High Sheriff of Surrey Elizabeth Kennedy, and Reverend Philip Plyming from Holy Trinity Church in Claygate. The aim was to re-connect with key local fugures across a range of local issues, and make sure I am properly engaged.

Separately, I recently met with local representatives of the Thalidomide campaign, who are still campaigning for redress from the German government. I also continue to support efforts to raise the profile of, and funds for, the Elmbridge Community Fund - speaking at a drinks reception generously hosted by Nigel and Susie Abbott, as blogged here. 

Finally, I have been enjoying various local summer events. I watched the final of our very own Elmbridge version of 'Top of the Class', organised by the Rotary Club and hosted by Walton Oak school - as blogged here. I judged the Tiny Tots Fancy Dress competition at Claygate Flower show - as blogged here. And I went along to support Downside Nursery's Sports Day, as blogged here.


Up at Westminster, the key action was the Summer budget - as explained further below. In addition, there was a planned debate and vote on repeal of the Hunting Act - a free vote for MPs - which was delayed. I made clear my position, against repeal, in a blog-post here, and as reported here.

As a Minister, I also responded to the first post-election debate on the government's human rights reform agenda. You can read the transcript of my speech here. The debate was useful in drawing out key issues - around the European Convention, defects in the Human Rights Act, the separation of powers between the courts and Parliament, devolution, and the proper role of the European Court of Human Rights.

More widely, I continue to develop our proposals for a Bill of Rights, with a view to a consultation in the near future. This involves detailed work within the Ministry of Justice, but also prelimary soundings with key stakeholders and interested parties. In response to a report on UK human rights by the United Nations' Human Rights Committee, I made clear our resolve to deliver a British Bill of Rights - as reported here.


The Chancellor's Summer Budget followed hot on the heals of more economic good news - including real terms pay rising at its fastest level since 2007 - as announced by the Office for National Statistics here. In the budget, the Chancellor announced income tax cuts (expanding the personal allowance, and raising the threshold for the 40p rate), cuts to inheritance tax, and a further cut to corporation tax to promote business expansion. You can read the official summary briefing here.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced proposals to ensure a proper 7-day per week NHS services, to avoid major dips in key areas of healthcare at weekends - as announced here, and reported here. The government made further announcements on plans to deliver English Votes on English Laws, here, and tackle coasting schools, here.

Finally, the Davies Commission published its long-awaited report on airport expansion, opting for a third runway at Heathrow with strict conditions on how it could operate, as reported here. The government made clear it wants time to carefully study the report and its evidence before determining its view. That is useful breathing space for me to scrutinise - as the local MP - the economic and environmental arguments, and in particular the impact on Elmbridge. 



For a full list of media comments, click here.
For blog posts on local issues and national debates, click here.