For years, the community in Enfield Borough has been calling for average speed cameras on the A10 Enfield / Edmonton carriageway. The petition in 2019 led to average speed cameras
Lack of action by the Mayor of London and Enfield Council on A10 speeding and Borough car meets – slammed.
Call for action continues…. For years, the community in Enfield Borough has been calling for action to tackle the dangerous A10 speeding, illegally modified cars and unlicensed car meets. Including
UPDATE: A10 Speeding, noise and borough car meets
I continue to work with the Police, Council, GLA/TfL, car park owners and local residents on these issues. Having been pressing for action for six years – appreciate the frustration
Visit to Remus Horse Sanctuary
I was delighted to visit the charity and be toured round by Sue Burton who helped found the Sanctuary. The Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary provides care for a range of
Save Church Street Recreation Ground – NO to Labour’s Crematorium Incinerator.
We must save Church Street Recreation Ground, Haselbury in Enfield Borough. The Enfield Labour run Council Local Plan includes a proposal for a Crematorium Incinerator there. Video is of me
David Cameron’s legacy to the UK
Today we saw David Cameron resign as Prime Minister. This was very much an end of an era after being Prime Minister for six years and Conservative Party leader for over 10 years. We welcome Theresa May as our new Prime Minister, who, I am sure will do a wonderful job succeeding Mr Cameron.
Let us reflect back on just some of David’s achievements:
- The economy turned around with the deficit as a share of GDP cut by nearly two thirds;
- There are 2.5 million more people in work with the security of a pay packet;
- There are over 1.4 million more children in good or outstanding schools;
- Introduced the new National Living Wage and we have lifted 4 million people, and rising, out of income tax altogether;
- Almost 2.9 million new apprenticeships have been created;
- A welfare cap so no family can earn more out of work, than the average family earns in work.
- Protected the living standards of our elderly by delivering the triple lock on the basic state pension;
- Corporate tax system will be the most attractive in the G20 by 2020, bringing jobs and investment into this country;
- The NHS has been protected in real terms;
- Saw the introduction of same-sex marriage
- Keeping the promises to the poorest people in the world, and protecting our security, by maintaining our commitment to aid spending;
- Britain is stronger in the world again – meeting the NATO two per cent target for defence spending with new aircraft carriers, world-class equipment for our armed forces, and the military covenant enshrined in law.
Eid Mubarak to all my Muslim friends
I would like to wish all my Muslim friends a very happy Eid.
Today is the end of Ramadan. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset which includes refraining from eating, drinking and smoking . This is a major commitment in the summer with the fast lasting from early morning through to the evening, as late as 9.30pm.
Muslims use the term Eid Mubarak after performing the Eid prayer. The celebration continues until the end of the day for Eid ul-Fitr (or al-Fitr) and can continue a further three days.
Today I am celebrating the joy of the day with family – it is a wonderful opportunity for a celebration with great food and drink. Eid Mubarak!
Today is National Stand Up To Bullying Day
Today is National Stand Up To Bullying Day. This has been launched by The Diana Award organisation. Their focus is that the campaign is an opportunity to help change behaviour and attitude by educating the public about behaviour.
The Duke of Cambridge has urged the country to “stand up, not stand by” to combat bullying, which has become “unrelenting” because of social media.
Bullying is an issue which affects people from all walks of life and can happen at any point.
Research confirms the long-lasting and damaging outcomes for 
the individual being bullied including prolonged absenteeism from school. The NatCen study commissioned by Red Balloon showed that 16,000 children are outside education because of this.
Bullying can have long lasting effects as well. The King’s College Institute of Psychiatry commissioned a substantial study of over 7,700 people, who were born in 1958, who were bullied at 7 or 11 
years old. The study then followed up with the participants until they were 50 years old.
Stand Up to Bullying Day is a campaign that focuses on childhood bullying as well as bullying in the wider community. We are encouraging the nation to take a stand against bullying and demonstrate everyone has a role to play in tackling it.
The ant-bullying cause is one that I have been involved in for many years. This includes having commissioned my own report into tackling school bullying: www.conservativehome.com/platform/2015/10/cllr-james-hockney-why-school-bullying-must-be-tackled.html
Together, as a society this is an issue we can solve.
It is time for Corbyn to go
Whilst as a Conservative it may be easy to watch on as the Labour Party implodes, there are bigger issues at stake.
Any Government needs to have an effective opposition to ensure a robust democratic process and is ‘kept on its toes’.
As the split between Labour Parliamentarians and membership continues it cannot be an effective party let alone an opposition.
The extraordinary circumstances where a leader continues with 46 resignations let alone losing a confidence vote 172 to 40 votes. It is worth remembering that the Shadow Cabinet with junior posts totals 90 positions.
With the Daily Mirror calling for Corbyn to go the message could not be clearer.
Corbyn’s policy stances on weakening our defences, raising taxes on jobs and earnings, racking up more debt and welfare or driving up the cost of living by printing money is precisely the old and failed politics of the past.
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Some of what the Labour leader has said;
Scrap Britain’s nuclear deterrent. ‘I am against the replacement of Trident and the nuclear missile system that goes with it’.
Withdraw from NATO. ‘I’d rather we weren’t in it’.
Abolish the Armed Forces. ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every politician around the world instead of taking pride in the size of their armed forces…abolished their army and took pride in the fact the fact they don’t have an army…surely that is the way we should be going forward’.
Last Labour Government spending: ‘we made a huge mistake in allowing the Tories to get away with the idea that the last Labour government spent too much. We didn’t, we actually spent too little’.
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I am sad to see the Prime Minister resign
Today feels very much like an end of an era with the Prime Minister announcing he is resigning.
I remember back in 2005 supporting him to be our next leader. This included being a signatory (as a Councillor) on his campaign website in support of his leadership bid. When he was confirmed as leader I helped distribute newspaper leaflets celebrating the result in Ely Market. It really did feel like the start of a new journey.
During the 2010 campaign, in addition to being a Parliamentary candidate, I was Campaign Support Director in Penistone and Stocksbridge. It was a wonderful experience to have Mr Cameron visit the campaign.
Then in 2011 I was honoured to be asked to contest the Barnsley Central by-election. This included visiting the Prime Minister in his Parliamentary Office (pictured above) after a strong performance in the weekly PMQ’s. On election day I also spoke with the Prime Minister on the phone. On both meeting David and speaking with him on the phone – I was genuinely touched by the kind person he is.
So it is sad news that he announced that he will resign as Prime Minister. But he will leave the legacy of securing the first Conservative majority Government in over 20 years and delivering the first EU referendum in over 40 years – and more importantly leaving the country in a much better place after the spend and debt Labour Government.
I personally wish him well for the future.
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Statement from the Prime Minister today:
“The country has just taken part in a giant democratic exercise, perhaps the biggest in our history.
Over 33 million people from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar, have all had their say.
We should be proud of the fact that in these islands, we trust the people with these big decisions.
We not only have a parliamentary democracy but on questions about the arrangements for how we are governed, there are times when it is right to ask the people themselves, and that is what we have done.
The British people have voted to leave the European Union and there will must be respected.
I want to thank everyone who took part in the campaign on my side of the argument, including all those who put aside party differences to speak in what they believed was the national interest.
And let me congratulate all those who took part in the Leave campaign for the spirited and passionate case that they made.
The will of the British people is an instruction that must be delivered.
It was not a decision that was taken lightly, not least because so many things were said by so many different organisations about the significance of this decision so there can be no doubt about the result.
Across the world, people have been watching the choice that Britain has made.
I would reassure those markets and investors that Britain’s economy is fundamentally strong and I would also reassure Brits living in European countries and European citizens living here that they will be no immediate changes in your circumstances.
There will be no initial change in the way our people can travel, in the way our goods can move or the way our services can be sold.
We must now prepare for a negotiation with the European Union.
This will need to involve a full engagement of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland governments to ensure that the interests of all parts of our UK are protected and advanced.
But above all, this will require strong, determined and committed leadership.
I am very proud and honoured to have been Prime Minister of this country for six years.
I believe we have made great steps, with more people in work than ever before in our history, with reforms to welfare and education, increasing people’s life chances, building a bigger and stronger society, keeping our promises to the poorest people in the world and enabling those who love each other to get married whatever their sexuality.
But above all restoring Britain’s economic strength.
And I’m grateful to everyone who has helped to make that happen.
I’ve also always believed that we have to confront big decisions, not duck them.
That is why we delivered the first Coalition Government in 70 years, to bring our economy back from the brink.
It’s why we delivered a fair, legal and decisive referendum in Scotland and it’s why I made the pledge to renegotiate Britain’s position in the European Union and hold a referendum on our membership and have carried those things out.
I fought this campaign in the only way I know how, which is to say directly and passionately what I think and feel, head, heart and soul.
I held nothing back.
I was absolutely clear about my belief that Britain is stronger, safer and better off inside the European Union.
And I made clear the referendum was about this and this alone.
Not the future of any single politician, including myself.
But the British people have made a very clear decision to take a different path.
And as such I think the country requires a fresh leadership, to take it in this direction.
I will do everything I can as Prime Minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months, but I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination.
This is not a decision I have taken lightly.
But I do believe it’s in the national interest to have a period of stability and then the new leadership required.
There is no need for a precise timetable today, but in my view we should aim to have a new Prime Minister in place by the start of the Conservative Party conference in October.
Delivering stability will be important and I will continue in post is Prime Minister, with my Cabinet, for the next three months.
The Cabinet will meet on Monday, the governor of the Bank of England is making a statement about the steps that the Bank and Treasury are taking to reassure financial markets.
We will also continue taking forward the important legislation that we set before Parliament in the Queen’s speech.
I have spoken to Her Majesty the Queen this morning and advised of the steps I am taking.
Negotiation with the European Union will need to begin under a new Prime Minister and I think it is right that this new Prime Minister takes the decision about when to trigger Article 50 and start the formal and legal process of leaving the EU.
I will attend the European Council next week to explain the decision the British people had taken and my own decision.
The British people have made a choice.
That not only needs to be respected, but those on the losing side of the argument, myself included, should help to make it work.
Britain is a special country.
We have so many great advantages.
A parliamentary democracy where we resolve issues about our future through peaceful debate.
A great trading nation with our science and arts, our engineering and creativity, respected the world over.
And while we are not perfect I do believe we can be a model of a multiracial, multi-faith democracy where people can come and make a contribution and rise to the very highest that their talent allows.
Although leaving Europe was not the path I recommended, I’m the first to praise our incredible strengths.
I said before that Britain can survive outside the European Union and indeed that we could find a way.
Now the decision has been made to leave, we need to find the best way.
And I will do everything I can to help.
I love this country, and I feel honoured to have served it.
And I will do everything I can in future to help this great country succeed.
Thank you very much.”
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Tithe Barn Trust secures charity status
Yesterday I was delighted to attend a drinks reception at Landbeach Tithe Barn as the Trust Chairman.
At the event, during my speech, I revealed the great news that we have secured formal charity status from the Charity Commission. In all over 45 people attended the event, helping to raise additional much needed funds.
The Landbeach Tithe Barn is a wonderful building from the Tudor period. It was used for the Parish Priest to receive 10% of local farmers produce.
Why is it so important to save the Landbeach Tithe Barn? Tithe Barns are now quite rare in the UK. The Landbeach Tithe Barn one is the last remaining example in Cambridgeshire
and the only one with its original brick floor. It is estimated it was built as early as 1527 – so it is approaching it’s 500th anniversary.
To find out more visit the Tithe Barn website or the facebook page
I very much do hope that we can secure the long term future of this wonderful Tudor building for future generations.
Best of luck to Dan Watkins tomorrow
The very best of luck to Dan Watkins, the Conservative Candidate in the Tooting by-election tomorrow.
Today I was helping the campaign with eve of poll calls from Conservative Party Campaign Headquarters. What was clear from speaking to the residents of Tooting was how well respected Dan is and what a good campaign has been fought.
His 6 point plan on;
1. Transport
2. Affordable Homes
3. Young People
4. Community
5. Health
6. Supporting Local Business
Can be found at: www.danwatkins.org.uk/campaigns/my-plan-our-area
Whatever the result tomorrow, from one Parliamentary by-election candidate to another – well done!
Completing 1st year of Postgraduate Masters in Law
Delighted to report that today I completed the first year of my Postgraduate Masters in Law (LPC LLM) exam and assignments this week.
So far this has been an amazing journey, being the first person in my family to go to University, successfully securing a Bachelor in Laws (LLB) undergraduate degree at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge.
It has opened up a whole new world to be and taking the next step on the path with the University of Westminster has been an exciting one in starting the second qualification.
I will enjoy the break over the next few months, ahead of recommencing the final year of the Masters in Law.
Great support at Conservative Friends of Bangladesh AGM
I was delighted to attend the Conservative Friends of Bangladesh AGM at the Houses of Parliament last night.
It was a very packed room, so much so, that we were moved to a larger committee room!
In all there are now over 26 CFoB branches 
across the UK including one in Scotland. Members visited from all over the Country including representatives from Manchester and Portsmouth.
At the meeting I was very pleased to have been elected as the Honorary Secretary to the CFoB board. So I will now have some minutes to type up!
After a very productive meeting with a number of Members of Parliament addressing the meeting (including Anne Main, David McIntosh, Bob Blackman and Mark Field) many of us then went to the local curry house, Millbank Spice.
There will be a by-election soon in Tooting, and I am sure the CFoB will be actively campaigning there!
Backing Zac
It has been a real pleasure campaigning for Zac Goldsmith, a strong voice for London. On the three occasions I have met Zac during the campaign he has always come across as a warm and genuine person and his speeches filled with a clear cut message and vision for the future of London.
Whilst making telephone calls at the
Conservative Campaign Headquarters, Zac arrived with a stack of pizzas to keep the activist
team going. The Conservative Party really is a united team working together.
His four key pledges are;
Start fixing London’s housing crisis by:
- Doubling home building to 50,000 a year by 2020 and ensuring development is in keeping with the local area
- Giving Londoners the first chance to buy new homes built in London
- Ensuring a significant proportion of all new homes are only for rent and not for sale
Improve the capacity and reliability of London’s transport system by:
- Ensuring the Night Tube goes ahead, starting Crossrail 2, and growing the rail network.
- Bringing suburban rail services under the Mayor’s control to increase and improve the service.
- Protecting the Freedom Pass.
Improve London’s living environment by:
- Protecting the green belt from development.
- Tackling air pollution with tougher rules on HGVs, and encouraging greener vehicles and safer cycling.
- Creating more green spaces and cleaning up local parks so they are safe to visit and enjoy.
Make London’s streets safer by:
- Protecting neighbourhood police teams and keeping them on the street.
- Tackling the root causes of crime in local communities.
- Putting more police on public transport at night.
Today, on the eve of election day, the London Evening Standard endorsed Zac, This cannot be understated as the newspaper reaches about 2 million people a day.
