The last month has been a fine combination of catching up with some of my ongoing constituency campaigns and casework in Brentwood and Ongar, and meeting up with local activities and parliamentary colleagues at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.
Since Kemi Badenoch became the leader of the Conservative Party last year, I have been part of a small team working with her on a review of all our party’s policies, which we will develop and hone ready to take on the challenge of the next General Election. It was very pleasing to hear some of those policies being laid out clearly at Conference this year, and I have no doubt they will address some of the key issues which are troubling the people of Brentwood and Ongar, and the people of the UK.
One of the most radical plans is for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) so that we can end illegal immigration, deport foreign criminals, protect our veterans from vexatious legal claims and keep local services for local people. I know, from the correspondence I have received from many of you living in Ongar and the surrounding villages, that these are issues which are very important to you.
However, with house prices what they are, the policy announced by the Leader of the Opposition was to scrap stamp duty for UK citizens has been long due, and will make a huge difference to those wanting to move to a property more suitable for their life, work and families. In addition, we will save our high streets by abolishing business rates and for pubs and shops, which have been so badly hit by the Labour Government’s hike on employers’ National Insurance Contributions. And, of course, we would scrap Labour’s Family Farm Tax.
These excellent measures will protect our borders, grow our economy and keep our streets safe.
