Some people have asked me for my opinion on the defection of Douglas Carswell to UKIP today. In short, I wasn’t nearly as surprised as some others by this news. What is a surprise are the reasons he has given for his defection and the timing of it. Douglas Carswell is not merely a Euro [...]
Today I attended the official opening by The Rt Hon John Denham MP, of the new Southampton University Mayflower Halls student accommodation. The two Southampton Universities are an integral part of Southampton's economy but they do put an extra strain on housing. The new halls which have over 1100 rooms will not only help to [...]
I have been calling on Southampton’s hospitals to reduce the amount they are charging patients, visitors and staff to park. With parking charges ranging from £2 an hour to £14 a day these charges are punishingly high. The Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, has agreed that in many cases charges are just too [...]
I was very grateful to be invited to join the Mayor of Southampton and the Port Director of Associated British Ports at the opening of the second Southampton Maritime Festival. All things maritime will be on display over the weekend and if today was anything to go by, it will be an enormous success.
Labours's evening parking charges continue to damage the economy in Southampton. Local businesses and residents overwhelmingly disagree with Labour's tax on a night out.
Yesterday I announced that if I were to be elected to represent the Southampton Itchen Constituency in Parliament I would hold referendums on significant issues prior to voting in parliamentary debates. These referendums will of course not be as scientific as I would like them to be and I will not be bound by [...]
I was incredibly moved today to witness the re-enactment of the mobilisation of WW1 troops marching through Southampton to the Port for embarkation to France. This event was organised by Network Rail in conjunction with The Khaki Chums and the Pipes and Drums of the London Scottish. I am sure as the first soldiers embarked [...]
Channel 4 has commissioned Love Productions to make a new 6 part documentary series which will follow the lives of people who live in Derby Road, Southampton. Love Productions have chosen this road because they claim up to 60% of the residents living there were born outside of England. Immigration is one of the most divisive [...]
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