Westminster officials have ruled that thousands of new homes must be built in Thanet. The question now is whether to build them on multiple sites around the isle, including on prime agricultural land, or to use the redundant site of the former Manston Airport. BBC Radio Kent were discussing this thorny issue this morning and […]
News and opinion
Armed Forces Day in Ramsgate
On Saturday I attended the Armed Forces Day service which was held near the seafront in Ramsgate. Along with the other Town, District and Westminster officials, and hundreds of locals and tourists, I watched current and ex-service personnel and young cadets parade from the Sailors’ Church to the obelisk near the Royal Victoria Pavillion. I […]
Appearing on Paul on Politics
It was a pleasure to accept another invitation to appear on KMTV’s political discussion show, Paul on Politics. On this edition we covered recent news topics including Theresa May’s announcement about additional funding for the NHS, the possibility of decriminalising cannabis, waste management in Kent and, of course, the football World Cup. With studio guests […]
Fund schools. Tackle poverty.
Right across the country primary school funding is being systematically cut back. This means a freeze on recruitment, fewer teaching assistants and heavier workloads for staff. It means our children aren’t getting the education they need and deserve. I’ve checked out Newington Community Primary school which is in my Thanet District Council ward of Newington. […]
Standing against the Kent bus pass price increase
The recently announced increase in the cost of a Young Person’s Travel Card, which allows school children to travel on buses, has been widely reported. Writing for Kent Online, Paul Francis covered opinion from the Conservative County Councillor responsible for the increase, as well as a comment from myself. I’m glad I got a reasonable […]
Sainsbury’s and Asda – protecting the workers
Over the weekend news was circulating about talks between Asda and Sainsbury’s supermarkets. Today it has been confirmed that the two retail giants plan to pool resources and become bigger than Tesco. With over 350,000 employees between them and most of those on the shop floor, those of us with the interests of workers at […]
Cancer screening is key to saving Thanet lives
Former Tory Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley has admitted his bowel cancer could have been caught earlier if his own recommendations to his Government had been followed. Early diagnosis is key to stopping this cancer and others. That effectively means early access to screening. Currently Thanet has amongst the worst bowel cancer outcomes and more needs […]
Talking gender equality on BBC Sunday Politics
I was very pleased to be invited to speak on the BBC’s Sunday Politics show today (25.3.18), particularly on the very thorny topic of equal pay for women. That we have such a persistent and stubborn pay gap is a disgrace. I have long been an advocate of equal pay, helping to form national policy […]
Your stroke questions answered – CCGs respond
I’m grateful for the response to the set of questions I posted in January. This came in a letter from Patricia Davies, however it raises a lot of further questions. I’m sure you’ll have your own. My key concern is that these changes to the provision of stroke services in Thanet are being driven by […]
Blue Wave Pool in Margate must be saved
I was astounded to hear that another fantastic facility in Thanet might be closed. The Blue Wave Hydrotherapy Pool in Victoria Road, Margate has been offering services to disabled and elderly locals since 2014. Now the facility, which is housed in the former Royal Deaf School faces threat of closure with the redevelopment plans for […]