If re-elected on July 4th, I will work hard to continue to deliver Chelmsford’s infrastructure needs, put more police on our streets, improve Chelmsford’s NHS, support our schools, and deliver skills, opportunities and well paid local jobs.
I will fight nationally for lower taxes, an annual cap on immigration, and support pensioners, families and the Armed Forces.
I will also continue to stand side by side with individual Chelmsford residents when they are being treated unfairly.
Often it is individual things that are important. I believe it is a vital part of an MP’s to help resolve the personal issues that people sometimes face. It can make a huge difference.
I had been asked to meet with two resident’s groups, both of which are facing thorny local problems. I believe they are being treated unfairly. Both groups asked me to still come along to meet them, even knowing that it is an election period.
In Great Baddow, I met with Ian and Peter. Ian has been walking his dog along publicly owned land between the A1114 and Chelmsford homes for forty years. Despite the nearby road, its is full of nature and wildlife, I can understand why he and his neighbour’s treasure access to this place.
However, recently the pedestrian gate has been blocked off and the city council has put up a keep out sign. Over forty neighbours have written to ask for the longstanding right of way to be respected and the access re-instated. It’s important to them. I will support them. We talked through a strategy for their campaign and how to make this happen.
Homeowners on the old St John’s Hospital site have been having a nightmare with the managing agent, First Port. The bills they are being charged keep going up and up to what are now eye-watering levels. They are definitely not getting value for money for the maintenance fees they are being charged. This is not fair.
New laws have been passed to give freeholders and leaseholders the powers to come together, remove a managing agent and take over management of an estate as local residents. For this to happen, they will need support from a large number of the local residents. We discussed the strategy, how to contact neighbours and set out plans. If re-elected, I promised to help them.
I also think it is important to support local businesses. There are now record levels of jobs in Chelmsford and many local businesses have innovative ideas to bring something extra to their customers.
During the Euros, Tannith, the new landlady at the Wheatsheaf in New Street has renamed her pub the “Jarrod Bow Inn” after the England football forward Jarrod Bowen. She invited me along to the unfurling of the new sign. The pub was buzzing. I enjoyed a good laugh with regulars and newcomers.
I’ve been out on the doorsteps all across Chelmsford, listening to local residents, hearing their plans for the future and their concerns on different issues. I have particularly enjoyed learning about people’s hobbies and passions.
Chelmsford is a great place to live. The people of Chelmsford are kind, generous and hard working – they also have a great sense of fun and fairness. I want to see Chelmsford stay that way.
If re-elected I will always work hard for Chelmsford. I will always stand firmly on the side of local people, protect their values and their priorities."
