Sir Roger Gale
Member of Parliament for Herne Bay and Sandwich (including West Thanet)
Press Releases 2024
Roger regularly issues press releases about current topics. We have included a selection of them here which we hope will be of interest to you.
November 15th 2024
Yesterday I challenged the Health Minister on the impact of the increase in employers’ national insurance contributions upon GP practices and children’s hospices. Another example of the unintended consequences of an ill-thought-through budget.
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November 15th 2024
I have asked a further question to the Minister in relation to inheritance tax on our farmers.
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November 14th 2024
At the Alzheimer’s Society presentation in the House I learned that only 61% ( below the national average) of those with Alzheimer’s disease are correctly diagnosed - which means that many of my constituents living with dementia are not receiving early or adequate treatment.
As shocking is that within the Adult Social Care Workforce just 29% have a record of having received dementia training- which may account for the gap in diagnosis.
The Minister, Stephen Kinnock, told the meeting that he was on the case: watch this space- because there is another gap in the funding needed to deliver the required training!​
November 13th 2024
Good to meet Becky and Peter representing the Kent Food Partnership at the Sustainable Food Places Day of Action in Portcullis House, Westminster.
“We’re proud of our food heritage and community in Kent and we’d love to have your support to ensure we champion affordable, healthy and sustainable food in our area” says Food Projects Manager, Natasha Hart.
You’ve got it Natasha! With so much good produce grown very locally it can be cheaper and better and we ought to be giving it priority over imported fruits and vegetables.
November 13th 2024
With Lavinia Jarrett (Demelza House) and Paul Farthing (Shooting Star) at the House of Commons to support the maintenance of the Children’s Hospice Grant.
“Governments must recognise not only the value of the services provided to young people and their families by the Children’s Hospice movement but also the massive savings that the preventive care offered contributes to the NHS. Without the hospices huge additional costs would fall upon the health service and not providing ring- fenced and adequate supportive Government funding is unbelievably short- sighted.“
November 13th 2024
I am supporting Kent’s farmers. Please join me
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November 5th 2024
As the founding Chairman, many years ago, of The All Party Parliamentary Group for the fund for the replacement of animals in medical experiments (FRAME) I am more than aware that this is not just an ethical issue. It is a matter of scientific integrity. We are now, globally, at a pivotal moment and we need a strategic government roadmap that outlines how, nationally and internationally, we can phase out current and unacceptable practices and embrace better scientific solutions that do not involve harming animals.
November 5th 2024
On Monday I visited Demelza’s Sittingbourne site where I met with CEO Lavinia Jarrett and was given a tour of the site and facilities.
I was shown around the main lounge and care areas, the kitchen, gardens and I also had the opportunity to see the soft play area, the sensory room and the hydrotherapy pool.
I can only marvel at the dedication of all the people who work here.
I was hugely impressed with the facilities and the range of services which the staff offer to children and their families. I was particularly surprised at the amount of outreach work which the staff undertake in the community.
It is really a tremendous facility.
November 3rd 2024
Will Kent’s new Labour MPs back our farmers and vote against Starmer’s inheritance tax on family farms? And will they support the farmers’ lobby of Parliament on 19th November? Or will they toe the party line and keep peddling the myth that ‘lots of agricultural land is being used as a tax loophole by rich people?’
It matters because the whole future of rural England and our food security is at stake.
October 30th 2024
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has taken over an hour to set out a traditional ’borrow-and-spend’ Labour budget that will impact upon what Starmer has described as ‘working people’, upon small businesses, upon aspirant first-time homeowners, upon hundreds of small private schools and the parents of their young pupils, upon farmers, upon savers and upon those who until today might have been considering investing in the Uk.
In short it adds up to a litany of broken election promises for which we shall all have to pay through higher debt, inflation and taxes.
October 23rd 2024
Today I raised the question to the Secretary of State for Defence on whether all the materials that are supplied to Ukraine by the Western Alliance should be used by Ukraine in the manner that they most see fit.
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October 18th 2024
The MV Ruby
In the light of ongoing concerns expressed about the presence offshore of the MV Ruby I have met recently with the shipping Minister, Mike Kane and relevant officials from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and other appropriate bodies.
The MV Ruby, which is currently moored some eleven miles off Margate is a Maltese flagged vessel which was initially anchored in the European Economic Zone outside the twelve-mile limit but moved inshore due to inclement weather conditions in the North Sea. I am advised that the cargo, originally destined for Africa, of class 2 ammonium nitrate is safe.
Due to damage to the ship which has not rendered the vessel unseaworthy but requires repair negotiations are ongoing to unload the cargo in order to enable the ship to then enter a port – possibly in the United Kingdom or the Irish Republic – for the necessary repairs to be effected.
I raised the issue of sanctions imposed upon the Russian Federation but am led to believe that the legal situation is that because the ship itself is neither Russian owned nor flagged no international law has been broken or sanctions breached. I have of course asked to be kept informed of any developments but I do not believe my constituents face any threat to their security as a result of the presence of this vessel eleven miles off the North Kent coast.
October 9th 2024
I fear that many loyal members of the Conservative Party will feel disenfranchised by this result: I have to date not declared my endorsement and I do not propose to do so now but the figures are not decisive and although one candidate - James Cleverly - has been eliminated the Parliamentary Party has sent a very confused message to those who will now have to lead not only the Party but the Official Opposition in the House of Commons.
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September 28th 2024
As Rosie Duffield’s parliamentary neighbour I can only say that I admire her raw courage in saying what many of her experienced colleagues are thinking but have yet to say. In a few short weeks in office Starmer has demonstrated that he is without principle or direction and that self-service is the order of the day.
I have myself been in the position of having to criticise the leadership of my own Party and it is not a happy place to be but we have to stand for what we truly believe in and that is what Rosie Duffield has done. She will of course be criticised and vilified but she can stand tall and proud for having done what is right rather than what is expedient.
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September 26th 2024
I have been made aware that the Post Office in Minnis Bay is due to close. Since this has been raised with me, I have contacted the Post Office Head Office to understand why this is being closed and to see what can be done to maintain this vital service in Minnis Bay.
September 17th 2024
Campaigning to save 200 acres of farmland on the Ash Levels from development as an unnecessary ‘solar farm’ with Save Ash Levels campaigners Graham Doyle, County Councillor Sue Chandler and District Councillor Martin Porter.
‘On top of the proposed National Grid converter station this is another threat to the ecology, the environment and the historical landscape of East Kent. If planning consent is granted this monstrous development would, with its loss of land that this summer was growing bread- making quality wheat, its close proximity to the SSSI and intrusion in upon the vista of the Roman fort at Richborough, be damaging beyond measure.
With literally thousands of acres of roof space and car parks in public ownership that can and should accommodate solar panels there is no need to use agricultural land - which would effectively be lost to farming forever - to contribute to the headlong but ill-thought-through rush to net zero.’
Putin – “Appeasement is not the answer” Sir Roger Gale
September 17th 2024
“Appeasement is not the answer to Putin`s adventures in Ukraine” says Herne Bay and Sandwich MP Sir Roger Gale.
Speaking following the Battle of Britain Sunday commemorations in Sandwich the veteran MP has said:
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September 10th 2024
My speech today in the House on why Labour’s new policy on Winter Fuel Allowance is so wrong
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September 7th 2024
The Annual General Meeting of the Herne Bay & Sandwich (with West Thanet) Conservative Association with the Member of Parliament, Sir Roger Gale, Association Chairman, Cllr George Kup and the Leaders of the Conservative Groups on Dover (Cllr Trevor Bartlett), Canterbury (Rachel Carnac) and Thanet (Cllr Reece Pugh) councils.
Speaking at the meeting Sir Roger said:
“This Labour government arrogantly believes that the next election is five years away. It is not. There are County Council elections next May when thousands of pensioners and their families across Kent will have the opportunity to express their opinions about the dreadful decisions that Starmer has already taken and those that were not in any manifesto but are now in the pipeline. We shall seize that opportunity“.
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September 7th 2024
Winter Fuel Allowance
I believe that the new Chancellor Ms. Reeves’ proposals to curtail the provision of Winter Fuel Allowance to only those in receipt of Pension Credit was a hasty and ill-thought-through ‘we need to be seen to be doing something` proposal that will impact adversely on very many pensioners who are already living on limited incomes.
I am not, personally, averse to the means-testing of benefits in principle. It has always seemed to me ludicrous that Suzy and I, both of whom are still working in full-time jobs, should receive an allowance (that we then donate to charity) while there are many others including some younger but disabled people who cannot ‘run around and keep warm` who would really benefit from the money.
I also recognise that there are very many pensioners whose personal circumstances mean that while they do not quite qualify for Pension Credit they are nevertheless dependent upon Winter Fuel Allowance to help pay their heating bills.
It is clear from parliamentary records that Rachel Reeves was promoting the means-testing of WFA as long ago as 2014 so to suggest that this measure has arisen as a result of an unexpected 'black hole' in the nation's finances is grossly disingenuous. It is an ill- conceived approach designed in Number 11 Downing Street and endorsed by the man in Number Ten.
While the Pension Credit qualification is an `easy to administer` cut off that is clearly superficially attractive to the Treasury it is neither a just or sensible way of addressing the issue of ill- targeted payments.
I do not doubt that many organisations and Members of Parliament, myself included, will seek to have this matter re-visited but I am not hopeful that a Chancellor who has claimed that `I did not know how bad the finances were` when all of the figures had been available to her for months is likely to want to change her mind. That should not, however, prevent us from trying.
As a result of Opposition pressure the issue will now be discussed in parliament and voted on next week but the debate is very time limited and while I have applied to speak I may well not be called. I shall, however, most certainly vote against a proposal that is already causing distress and uncertainty to tens of thousands of pensioners.
September 6th 2024
Huge thanks to our Birchington Parish and District councillors, to Save Our Fields and to all the local people who worked so hard to make the case against the further over-development of our farmland.
Thanet Council has taken a first vital step towards the preservation of our rural and agricultural heritage and I commend them for listening to the clear message from the community and having the courage to take the right decision.
September 4th 2024
Earlier this week I asked Matthew Pennycook, Minister of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government - “The National Planning Policy Framework clearly militates against building on agricultural land. Notwithstanding the Minister’s desire not to interfere in local democracy, will he write to the Leader of Thanet District Council to remind him that agricultural land is the stuff that we grow food on, and cannot be for housing if we are to remain sustainable?”
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August 23rd 2024
Following complaints from constituents about disruption to traffic and business arising from gas pipe repairs in Sandwich I have received the following response from SGN:
“Thank you for your email to our CEO Mark Wild in relation to the inconvenience caused to your constituents by our work in Sandwich.
We are working on a 30-year programme to upgrade our gas network set out by the Government and in line with the Health and Safety Executives guidelines. We’re replacing old metallic pipes with new plastic pipe to ensure homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply for years to come
To keep everyone safe, we are required to have the road closed around our work site from the junction with St Bart’s Road to the level crossing. Unfortunately, It is not possible to use traffic lights, due to the close proximity of the level crossing and insufficient space for vehicles to pass safely. A signed diversion route is in place for traffic to access the train station and town centre.
We’ve had some delays completing our work, as we uncovered a leaking water main which Southern Water have now repaired. However, the team are making good progress and expect to finish on schedule as planned by 30 August. While the road is closed we’re also working collaboratively with a third party contractor to allow them to repair the pedestrian railings which are in extremely poor condition.
We’re sorry for the inconvenience being caused to the local community while we carry out this essential work. Small businesses affected by our work may be eligible for compensation under our guaranteed standards. Information about eligibility and how to apply can be found here https://www.sgn.co.uk/.../guaranteed-standards/compensation”
August 12th 2024
My thanks to those very many people who have taken the trouble to submit individual and considered objections to National Grid’s appalling ‘Sealink’ proposals to land yet another disruptive cable at the Pegwell Bay nature reserve and to construct a monstrous ‘converter station’ on the Minster Marshes adjacent to East Kent’s SSSI.
It remains to be seen whether or not the CEO of National Grid and the Secretary of State Ed Miliband are prepared to listen. No positive signs yet but I shall continue to press the case. It would be a pity, would it not, if we had to resort to yet another judicial review!
July 29th 2024
I do not pretend to be an economist: Labour’s Chancellor of the Exchequer clearly does. That being so what does she believe that a newlycreated and costly “Office of Value for Money“ will do that is not already being done by the Office of Budget Responsibility? And how can she claim, on the dangerous assumption that she read the OBR reports and the reports submitted to her by the Civil Service prior to the election, that there is an unexpected “£20 billion black hole“ in the country’s finances?
A deeply disingenuous statement clearly designed to pave the way for tax rises in the Autumn budget.
July 25th 2024
This morning at Business Questions I asked the Leader of the House why the King’s Speech contains not one word relating to animal welfare - was this a deliberate admission or a careless and disinterested oversight.
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July 24th 2024
In PMQs today I asked the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, how his planning reforms that will see our agricultural land built on is compatible with the Secretary of State for Agriculture’s desire to achieve sustainability.
I’ll let you decide if the Prime Minister answered the question.
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July 18th 2024
Yesterday I spoke in the Kings Speech debate in the House of Commons 41 years on from being the youngest Member of Parliament for North Thanet I am delighted to now speak as the youngest Member of Parliament for Herne Bay and Sandwich (with West Thanet).
I put my concerns on the record regarding:
-The new planning reforms, that would see our grade one agricultural farmland built over and destroy local democracy.
-The Sea Link Project that will destroy the Minister Marshes and the land around Sandwich.
-The fact that in the King's Speech there was not one mention of Animal Welfare issues.
We will of course hold this government to account and be an effective opposition to ensure they deliver.
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July 14th 2024
An appalling attempt on the life of Donald Trump and a stark reminder of the personal risks that those in or seeking high office take in the interests of a free democracy. There can be no place in civilised society for violence of any kind in politics.
My own thoughts are with President Trump’s family and most particularly with those killed and injured in this assassination attempt.
May 23rd 2024
Update from the Environment Agency on the dead marine life along our Thanet coastline:
Thousands of dead ragworms, lugworms and shellfish have been seen since yesterday on the beach at Minnis Bay. As a precautionary measure, two beaches have been closed and advice given against bathing at five beaches in the area. Signs are displayed between Minnis Bay and West Bay to warn members of the public.
The affected beaches are Minnis Bay, West Bay, St Mildred's Bay, Westbrook Bay and The Bay (Margate).
We are carrying out a range of tests to identify the cause of the shellfish and invertebrate deaths at Minnis Bay. We are also working with the Centre for Fisheries, Environment and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) and the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (AIFCA), who are carrying out tests on shellfish. The evidence so far suggests the deaths may have been caused by an algal bloom, which has then died back, causing oxygen levels in the water to crash. However, at this point we cannot rule out other possibilities including species of algae, which can release toxins into the water, therefore our advice against bathing remains.
We do not believe that this was caused by sewage pollution from storm overflows. Nevertheless, we have sampled the water to check for bacteria associated with sewage to confirm this.
We expect to receive further test results today (Wednesday 22nd May) to inform our response. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and engage in multi-agency working, including with CEFA, AIFCA, Thanet District Council and Canterbury City Council.
If any of your constituents have concerns or further reports relating to this incident, please encourage them to contact our free 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60. They can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @EnvAgencySE
May 15th 2024
North Thanet’s MP Sir Roger Gale has today given a great welcome to the Government’s announcement of fresh measures to protect Grades 1, 2 and 3a farmland from development as ‘solar farms’.
The announcement, issued jointly by the Energy, Local Government and Agriculture Departments will mean that with immediate effect a much greater protection will be afforded to the land that we need for the sustainable domestic production of food.
‘I have been lobbying for this for months’ says Sir Roger ‘and I am particularly grateful for the support of the Energy Minister Andrew Bowie in delivering a very significant step forward. A solar ‘road map’ will be published soon and I expect that will facilitate the installation of solar panels on the roofs of agricultural and public buildings and in car parks and other brownfield sites. We need solar power, certainly, but not at the expense of the land that we need to grow crops.'
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May 15th 2024
It is ten years to the day since Ann Gloag so shamefully closed Manston airport.
It has been a long haul since then but thanks to the tenacity of the current owners, the RiverOak Strategic Partnership, their investors, and of course the support of the overwhelming majority of the people of Thanet I hope and believe that once the result of the Court of Appeal hearing is behind us we shall be able to see the start of the massive task of rebuilding and reopening the airfield. The prospects for the future of jobs and the economy of East Kent depend upon the success of this venture in which I have great faith.
Prepare for a new take-off.
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May 11th 2024
We are calling on Stagecoach to keep the current half hourly bus route to Minnis Bay.
If you can please sign and share the petition so we can get as many signatures as possible.
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May 10th 2024
We are calling on Stagecoach to reinstate the Herne Bay No. 6 bus route in full.
If you can, please sign the petition to help us urge Stagecoach to reconsider their decision
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May 5th 2024
Having given Mrs Elphicke considerable personal support at the time when she most needed it I think it is fair to say that her monumental demonstration of disloyalty to her former friends warrants mild disappointment!
So far as I can see Mrs Elphicke has absolutely nothing in common with either the old or the ‘re-invented’ Labour Party.
I would like to think that she will not be dishonourable enough to accept a peerage from Mr Starmer and it will be interesting to see if she has the courage to fight her Dover seat as a socialist.
May 5th 2024
Having opposed the ‘Active Travel’ scheme from its conception I am pleased that, thanks to Neil Baker, it looks as though a workable compromise will be reached. I want to see the ‘Plaza’ area open to parking, unloading and through - traffic again in time the summer season. It has of course always been the case - and remains- that sections of the seafront can be closed for special events
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April 30th 2024
Boundary Changes
The Boundary Commission, which is independent of Government, has determined that at the General Election the constituency Boundaries will change.
The new Herne Bay & Sandwich (with West Thanet) constituency (currently mostly represented by Sir Roger Gale) will include:
Herne Bay ((Heron Ward), Reculver, Broomfield, West Bay, Greenhill, Herne Village, Marshside, Westbere, Hoath, Chislet , Upstreet, & Hersden, (from North Thanet)
Sturry and Fordwich (from Canterbury)
Sandwich, Little Stour and Ashstone (from South Thanet )
Westbrook, Westgate on Sea, Garlinge, Birchington on Sea, Minnis Bay, Manston, Minster, Monkton, Acol, Sarre and St Nicholas at Wade (also from North Thanet).
The new East Thanet seat (currently mostly represented by Craig Mackinlay) will include:
Margate Town, Dane Valley and Salmestone (from North Thanet),
Cliftonville East, Cliftonville West , Broadstairs (all) Ramsgate (all) and Cliffsend (from South Thanet).
April 30th 2024
Mailing Lists
Our mailing lists include many addresses from across Kent and, indeed, nationally and worldwide. If you do not wish to receive election communications electronically from Sir Roger Gale, who has been selected to fight the Herne Bay and Sandwich (with West Thanet) seat for the Conservative Party then please let us know by email – suzy@galemail.com and to comply with Data Protection law we will immediately remove your details. If, whether you live in the new seat or not, you wish to continue to receive our election and other communications then you need take no action.
Many thanks
George KUP
Chairman, The HB&SCA
April 16th 2024
Sir Roger Gale said that he has no confidence or trust in National Grid UK whatsoever as he calls for full ecological surveys to be carried out before plans for offshore cables are passed.
MP for Thanet North, Sir Roger Gale has slammed National Grid’s Sea Link proposal saying it is “Unthinkable to anybody with half an eye on the environment and half a care about nature.”
Sir Roger was speaking to presenter Rob Smith as part of Kent Wildlife Trust’s “Talk on the Wild Side” podcast, which was released on Friday, 29th March. It was recorded when members of the trust’s group, calling on National Grid to “Rethink Sea Link” took their campaign to parliament earlier this month.
The National Grid have been invited multiple times to talk to us on the podcast, but we have not heard back from them.
Read the full transcript or listen to the podcast here.
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April 4th 2024
I am broadly in agreement with the view that the sale of weaponry should, following the 'accidental' killing of aid workers in Gaza, be halted.
There is a very fine line between ‘offensive’ and ‘defensive’ weapons and we will also be bound by signed Trade Deals but I have asked, through the 'usual channels’ that we review the licences under which all trade with Israel is conducted and I hope that the USA may do likewise.
April 4th 2024
North Thanet's MP, Sir Roger Gale, has referred the provision of Post Office services in Central Margate to the CEO of the Post Office and to the responsible Trade Minister, Kevin Hollinrake. This move, which is also backed by South Thanet's MP Craig Mackinlay, followed the announced closure of the High Street branch of WH Smith's which currently hosts the post office.
"Given, particularly, the diminishing availability of banking facilities in our towns" says Sir Roger "I regard it as vital in the interests of small businesses and the public that General Post Office services are maintained. I also feel strongly that where alternative premises are being considered it should be the Post Office itself and not the hosting business that is responsible for making the necessary adaptations required for security and other reasons. The Post Office has a lot of ground to make up in terms of its image and closing vital outlets is not a good start!"
April 3rd 2024
The Killing of Aid Workers in Gaza
The killing of aid workers from the World Central Kitchen while delivering food to those in need in Gaza is inexcusable and the Israeli Defence Force and Government have to be held to account for their `carelessness`.
I have advocated and politically supported the delivery of aid from Larnaca in Cyprus to beachheads in Gaza and the fact that clearly marked vehicles, notice of the transit of which was given to the Israeli authorities in advance, cannot be dismissed as an `unfortunate accident`.
I do not regard myself as either pro or anti Semite or pro or anti Palestine and I am not disposed to rush to judgement over an extremely complex situation.
I am, though, appalled by the loss of innocent lives on both sides of this conflict and I believe that it will have to be left to the International Criminal Court to determine what war crimes have been committed and to seek to bring those on all sides, however high and mighty and of whatever nationality, to account.
That may inevitably include the elected administrations in Israel and in Gaza and possibly others.
March 27th 2024
Adult Social Care APPG’s parliamentary event
Roger supporting the APPG's Future of Care Five report. #FutureofCare5, #SupportourCarers @ASCAPPG.
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March 20th 2024
Manston Processing Centre – No Immigration Removal Centre
Home Office proposals to construct an Immigration Removal Centre adjacent to the Asylum Processing Centre have been shelved.
Following representations from North Thanet`s MP, Sir Roger Gale, who met with the Home Secretary before Christmas, James Cleverly has this morning confirmed that “I have taken the decision not to proceed with the Immigration Removal Centre at this time”.
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March 19th 2024
I have personally signed up for the Big Plastic Count
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March 16th 2024
North Thanet`s MP Sir Roger Gale has pledged his support on the issue of puppy smuggling today at a parliamentary event run by the UK’s leading dog welfare charity Dogs Trust.
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March 9th 2024
Please support and nominate the team of Maya's community support Centre. All the volunteers and people who are donating and using services who deserve recognition as they have saved 7,670 tonnes of CO2 going to atmosphere only in one year.
The last day of nominations is Sunday 10th March.
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March 4th 2024
I have today raised personally with Southeastern Trains and the Department for Transport the failure of the ‘school train’ service between Minster in Thanet and Sandwich. I expect a return to a full, reliable and acceptable service in the immediate future.
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February 29th 2024
The too-frequent cancellation of South Eastern rail services between Minster and Sandwich is damaging to students travelling to and from Sandwich schools and is wholly unacceptable. With no alternative bus service young people are in danger becoming stranded. I am pursuing this with South Eastern and with the Rail Minister with the support of County Councillor Derek Crow-Brown.
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February 25th 2024
***FURTHER UPDATE ON SOUTHERN WATER****
After discussing the need to have a water station closer to those villages without or with low water pressure in Thanet, I have had confirmation that Southern Water are now progressing with plans to move one of their bottled water stations to Manston Airport, and are hopeful that the move across to Manston Airport will happen overnight, ahead of opening tomorrow morning. Thank you to RSP for allowing Southern Water to use the airport.
I have also been told by Southern Water that “Some customers should start to see water return this afternoon, thanks to a temporary solution have put in place. We have rezoned water around our network and some customers should expect to see supply return this afternoon over the next few hours.”
Also thanks to Dover Councillor Martin Porter: hopefully supplies will be back on later tonight in Little Stour and Ashstone in the meantime SW are delivering door-to-door where needed.
As ever, please do contact me for further help on this matter.
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February 25th 2024
***UPDATE****
I have spoken with Southern Water’s Stakeholder Manager, John Mealey, to place a water station in Thanet as it is not good enough to expect residents to go to Canterbury.
I will keep residents updated.
Water pressure - Thanet Villages
I am in regular contact with Southern Water following their information that water pressure in some Thanet villages is being affected by a defect.
In order to correct this, it may be necessary to cut off water supplies for the shortest necessary period.
I know Southern Water engineers are working around the clock to resolve the issue and I have been told bottled water is to be supplied to local residents. However, if there are any residents that have not received bottled water please do contact my office where we will endeavour to assist you further or Southern Water’s helpline on - 0330 303 0368
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February 7th 2024
It appears to me utterly perverse that a Judge who is a member of an expert panel set up by the Government to determine planning matters should have decreed that there are no grounds, on ‘need’, environmental or any other matters, for appeal against the Secretary of State’s decision to grant a Development Consent Order on Manston Airport only to have that decision reversed and a right to yet a further appeal granted by another Judge whose expertise is not in planning.
Fortunately the investors waiting to pour hundreds of millions of pounds into job-creating aviation facilities at Manston are staunch and will stand by the project but I am determined to ensure that the legal absurdities of this case are brought to the attention of the Lord Chancellor.
It is a nonsense that an organisation like National Grid appears able to ride roughshod over the environment while a significant investment in the National interest can be frustrated by a handful of people with a bit of money behind them. This has to be addressed-fast.
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The Post Office
January 10th 2024
I share the sense of anger and frustration about the manner in which the Post Office has treated some of its loyal and honest Postmasters and Postmistresses.
The seeds of the deception were sown under the Blair/Brown administration and persisted throughout the Coalition Government formed between the Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties under the supervision of the the Liberal Democrat Minister Ed Davey.