Sir Roger Gale
Member of Parliament for Herne Bay and Sandwich (including West Thanet)
Press Releases 2025
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.
14th February 2025
It would appear that Trump’s administration has either forgotten or is too young to remember the Soviet invasion of Hungary (1956) or the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968) and is prepared to treat Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine (2014) as a ‘transactional’ negotiation.
While we were awaiting the belated support of the United States, for which we paid for many years, during the Second World War, we stood alone against the Nazis: I trust that Trump - personally - will consider his position in respect of China and Taiwan.
Does Trump have to await a second Pearl Harbour before abandoning his parochial approach to 'foreign policy’? Or will he listen to the wider counsel of those if his relatively few supporters who have passports and abandon politics by social media and begin to understand that at least on this side of the Atlantic there are some who regard his approach as less than ‘brave’ and merely the naive populist utterances of a man who cannot bear to be not making headlines.
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14th February 2025
It has got to be at least twenty five years since I published ’Pets and Housing’ compiled by Professor Anne McBride of Southampton University. The report highlighted the urgent need for a better understanding. On the part of social landlords, of the housing needs of pet owners.
For many, and particularly the elderly, companion animals are literally a lifeline but in the intervening years and under successive governments the situation has become worse not better.
I therefore welcome the Dogs Trust initiative in placing this subject back in the agenda.
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11th February 2025
An interesting briefing from the Environment Agency demonstrating the new flood prediction tool that they are using.
At present the flood risk in most of Herne Bay and Sandwich appears to be low but looking longer term the picture is less attractive.
I have registered with the EA in order to receive out-of-hours notice of any likely ‘significant flood incidents’ in my constituency.
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10th February 2025
Preston Summerfest: A Community-Led Family Friendly Festival Supporting Local Charities
Preston Summerfest, a family-friendly music festival in the heart of Kent, returns over the August bank holiday weekend (22-24 August 2025) with a great lineup of live music, top DJs, and a powerful cause at its core. Taking place in the village of Preston, near Canterbury, this unique festival is run entirely by volunteers, with all profits supporting three important local causes: Demelza, Pilgrims Hospices, and Preston Primary School.
This year’s programme will star Toploader, best known for their hit songs Dancing in the Moonlight and Achilles Heel, The Petebox, the incredibly talented musician from The Voice, legendary DJ Graham Gold, and a host of other sensational bands and DJs including Hullaballoo and Shiva.
A particularly special performance will come from Certified Madness, a leading Madness tribute act whose lead singer, Barry Goodsell, has a deeply personal connection to Demelza House.
Barry’s daughter Caitlin was supported by the charity throughout her life. Born with congenital heart disease, Caitlin faced immense challenges, including multiple heart surgeries and two strokes, but never let her disabilities define her. Demelza provided vital respite care, counselling, and a place where Caitlin felt safe and happy. Performing at Preston Summerfest is Barry’s way of honouring her memory and giving back to the charity that meant so much to his family.
“This festival is about more than just great music—it’s about community, coming together, and making a difference,” said Event Manager Josie Leicester. “We wanted to make the event as affordable and accessible as possible while still raising vital funds for charity, which is why early bird weekend tickets (Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday) are just £25 plus booking fee for adults, £10 plus booking fee for teenagers, and free for children under 12.”
In keeping with the festival’s community-first ethos, the bar will be run by Ash Rugby Club, with profits split between our supported charities and their impressive grassroots club. This ensures that every aspect of the festival gives back, supporting local causes and bringing people together for a weekend of music, fun, and community spirit.
Preston Summerfest is a true community-led event, run by local residents and spearheaded by Preston Parish Council—a rare example of a local authority leading a major music festival. It has also received very strong support from local MP Sir Roger Gale.
With fantastic music, a welcoming atmosphere, and a commitment to giving back, Preston Summerfest is set to be a highlight of the summer season.
For full details, ticket information, and the complete lineup, visit www.prestonsummerfest.com.
Contact:
Event Manager: Tommy
Tel: 07736 300338
Email: prestonsummerfest@outlook.com
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8th February 2025
Another packed Saturday event - this week the Kent Conservatives County conference.
A rousing keynote speech from our last Home Secretary, James Cleverly, a chance to meet old friends Craig Mackinlay, Tracey Crouch and Greg Clark, all of whom retired at the last election, in conversation with Iain Dale, a personal message of support from Kemi Badenoch for our candidate in Herne and Broomfield, Grace Paget (election day Thursday 6th March) and the opportunity to welcome a new generation of young members.
Also a gathering of our County Council election candidates led by Roger Gough. An invigorating occasion - just like old times!
5th February 2025
I have been a supporter of hydrogen powered aviation since the prospect of carbon free fuel was conceived.
Hydrogen electric aircraft will be in our skies by the end of the decade. With the total re-development of Manston Airport at the planning stage and a wind farm just off the Thanet coast we have a unique opportunity to design in hydrogen aviation facilities from the very beginning.
The prospect of a net zero carbon airfield flying the cleanest and quietest aeroplanes in the world is truly exciting - and I intend to live to see it!
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4th February 2025
A predictably evasive answer to my question from the Secretary of State for Energy, Ed Miliband. How much longer are we going to subsidise the felling of forests in Canada to create ‘pellets’ to ship across the Atlantic to be burned to generate environmentally unacceptable power? Rumour in Westminster suggests that this might even get the further go-ahead this week. I hope that rumour is ill-founded.
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31st January 2025
Following Ministerial support for Manston in response to my question to the aviation minister, Mike Kane earlier in the week I was pleased to receive this additional encouragement from The Leader of the House of Commons during Business Questions today.
Also pleased to see that at least one senior member of the Government is taking the possibly illegal claims for taxpayers money to support the environmentally unsustainable burning of wood pellets imported from Canada by the Drax power station. A harsh parliamentary light needs to be shined into this dark corner.
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28th January 2025
In Urgent Questions today on the expansion of Heathrow. I asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) whether he recognises Manston Airport as an opportunity for economic growth.
With the Development Consent Order approved and welcome Ministerial support it should now be ’all systems go’.
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26th January 2025
On Friday 24th January I spoke as a sponsor for the, Climate and Nature Bill.
Below are the highlights of my speech
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23rd January 2025
All Members of Parliament represent autistic constituents but the statistics are stark. There are over 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK and it is estimated that at the end of last year more than 200,000 people were waiting for an assessment.
The impact upon families, as those of us who try to assist in these cases know only too well, can be devastating. The launch of the National Autistic Society’s report ‘A Constant Fight’ sets out the need and possible solutions very clearly.
There is a considerable cost to improvement. There is a still greater cost to inaction. The work of the last government in this area needs to be continued and enhanced.
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22nd January 2025
On Friday 17th January I spoke on the “New Homes (Solar Generation) Bill” - A Bill to require the installation of solar photovoltaic generation equipment on new homes; to set minimum standards for compliance with that requirement; and for connected purposes.
The below video is some of the highlights from my speech in which I outlined:
- How we must find better ways to put solar panels on our publicly owned buildings and car parks to stop solar panels being put all over our agricultural land.
- The Bill currently has loopholes in that will need to be addressed at Committee Stage.
- In my constituency there are new builds that have gone up and the developers have found “wriggle-room” to not install EV charging points.
- We should also be looking at grey water systems as this water is currently going to waste and due to the amount of land that has tarmac covering it that water can’t replenish the aquifers.
- We should be using solar tiles that won’t be an eyesore on listed buildings and allow for old buildings to be more energy efficient.
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21st January 2025
Yesterday I ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care:
1. Before the calling of the General Election the government made it clear they intended to spend £25million on the reconstruction of the QEQM Maternity Unit - following the Dr Bill Kirkup Report - will this government make the funding available?
2. How the government is going to ensure secondary healthcare meets the needs of the people that are going to live in the 1.5 million homes the Deputy Prime Minister wants to see built?
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17th January 2025
Today I asked the Home Secretary during her statement on the government-backed local grooming gangs inquiries, why:
1. She is so resistant to a broad based national inquiry rather than a very narrow five town inquiry?
2. She is so resistant to the statutory measures that will allow that inquiry to compel witnesses and evidence?
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8th January 2025
Today I asked the Prime Minister why, during his time as Public Prosecutor, he declined to instigate a prosecution for rape and sexual abuse against Mohamed Fayed.
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