May 27, 2012

Police and Crime Commissioners are one of the great reforms of this Conservative-led government

It is ten years since I joined the Conservative Party Policy Unit and helped develop our policy for direct election of those who oversee our police. It was therefore a particular pleasure for me to spend Saturday at the Conservative Selection Council to decide our final shortlist for Kent’s first Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

Tim Montgomerie described the withdrawal of Colonel Tim Collins in Kent as a ‘blow’, but it is one we barely noticed given the strength of the rest of our field. The three who made it through were:

Mark Reckless with Craig Mackinlay

  • Finance whizz and ex-UKIP Leader Craig Mackinlay (website), who came over to the Conservatives in 2005, gave perhaps the most powerful speech, showing a no-nonsense approach to budgeting, cutting crime and policing our borders;
  • Foreign Office man, Francois Gordon (no website available), who comes from a long civil service career and worked as an EU desk officer before taking on ambassadorial roles, and is now “European Strategy Adviser” to Kent Police; and
  • Jan Berry (no website available), an ex-police officer who for several years ran the Police Federation, the police equivalent of a trade union, and was persuaded by the wording of the PCC oath to stand as Conservative and not Independent.

Councillors Brian Sweetland, Jo Gideon and Mike O’Brien performed well, but with Craig Mackinlay, an ex-ambassador, and an ex-head of the Police Federation winning through against them, in what was a very tight contest, the Kent PCC contest should remain one of the highest profile.

All seventeen constituencies in Kent are currently Conservative. Our members though will be asked in three hustings (Tonbridge 9/6, Canterbury 15/6 and Hoo, Rochester 17/6) to choose between three candidates, two of whom were not previously active Conservatives. We were also given an excellent example of the proper balance between the political role of the PCC and the operational role of the Chief Constable.Until 2007, when Craig Mackinlay won a previously strongly Labour ward covering the centre of Chatham (and actually in my constituency) on a ticket to do something about it, street prostitution was endemic in Chatham, having been put in the ‘too difficult’ box by the police for at least 150 years. Now it has been largely eradicated by police working with the council, and not just arresting prostitutes, pimps and kerb-crawlers, but getting the girls off drugs and into accommodation, and often then into work or college. PCCs will be able to give that sort of lead elsewhere.

With many other areas now selecting and launching campaigns, I believe that David Cameron, Nick Herbert and the whole Conservative Party can take great pride in putting the police under proper democratic control.  After November 15th we will be able to look on directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners as one of the great reforms of this Conservative-led government.

Originally posted on Conservative Home

Visit Craig Mackinlay’s website here. Other candidate websites not available at time of posting

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May 24, 2012

Mark Reckless MP Joins Charity In Call For Action Against Irresponsible Dog Ownership

Mark Reckless MP and Laura Vallance of Dogs Trust

Mark Reckless MP and Laura Vallance

Mark Reckless MP, Member of Parliament for Rochester and Strood, joined Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, today to call for action on tackling irresponsible dog ownership at the charity’s annual House of Commons reception hosted by Jim Fitzpatrick MP.

Dogs Trust unveiled a stunning photographic display depicting the work it carries out within communities to help reduce the problems associated with irresponsible dog ownership alongside its policy document, ‘Taking The Lead, Tackling Irresponsible Dogs Ownership’. The event provided a platform for MPs to talk to Dogs Trust staff about the work carried out on the ground to encourage owners to train, neuter and microchip their dogs.

Mark Reckless MP said tackling anti-social dog behaviour in Rochester and Strood had become a key issue for constituents:

“Incidences of anti-social behaviour involving dogs have been increasing in many areas so I am delighted that Dogs Trust is proactively looking to tackle the issue by getting down to grass routes. As I indicated recently in the House of Commons, legislation has its part to play in preventing at least some of these terrible incidents of injury which we see every year.

However, outreach work in local communities is also vital in order to deal proactively with dog owners to help prevent dog attacks from occurring. I want put on record my appreciation of those organisations such as Dogs Trust who continue to work incredibly hard on this matter.”

Clarissa Baldwin, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, said:

“Dogs Trust works with over 300 local authorities to tackle the root causes of irresponsible dog ownership. We know from working in affected communities that this is a complex social issue; one that requires a multi-agency approach to target harder to reach groups. As the largest dog welfare charity in the UK, we believe that we’re in the best position to promote change by engaging with dog owners, schools, dog wardens, young offenders, housing associations and the police. We are delighted that Mark Reckless MP supports the work that we are doing.”

Summary of Dogs Trust work in local communities:

  • Since 2010, Dogs Trust has been working on-the-ground with urban dog owners inLondonto tackle the issue of so-called “status” dogs. The City Dogs Project is a pioneering scheme that targets young urban dog owners by appealing to them on their level. The City Dogs Team has so far carried out over 1,500 microchippings and issued over 2,000 neutering vouchers in Greater London. Between May 2010 and December 2011, 135 City Dog events took place; with over 50 dog owners asking for free one-to-one dog training sessions with our City Dogs trainer.
  • Dogs Trust also offers select young offenders inLondonthe option to work with its Training & Behaviour Advisers. Through Youth Offender Training teams, they can use their reparation hours to socialise and train dogs waiting to be rehomed.
  • For years Dogs Trust has been working with vets to provide subsidised or free neutering for dog owners living on means-tested benefits in disadvantaged areas. The charity currently works with over 1,000 vets across the country.
  • Dogs Trust offers free microchips to every local authority and housing association in theUK. The charity trains local authority staff to microchip and can even provide them with free scanners.
  • Responsible Dog Ownership Events – These highly popular events are organised in partnership with councils and local Housing Associations. They provide a range of advice and leaflets about all aspects of dog ownership plus neutering vouchers and on-site access to free microchipping and low-cost preventative vet care.
  • “Estate Days” – Working with local authorities, Dogs Trust identifies areas where irresponsible dog ownership is most acute. By visiting these areas and offering leaflets, dog ownership advice, free microchipping and £10 HealthCheck Vouchers, the charity has reduced the numbers of dogs being abandoned on the streets.
  • For those areas where dog abandonment is highest, Dogs Trust offers local authorities free neutering vouchers which can be given to those dog owners who need them most.

Since 2003, Dogs Trust has been providing free workshops to primary schools across most of the UK. The charity now has 13 full-time education officers who conduct around 3,000 classroom presentations a year. Education officers are briefed to target schools in communities with particularly bad social problems.

For further information, please contact the Dogs Trust online press office at www.dogstrust.org.uk

Dogs Trust is working towards the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction. 

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May 23, 2012

Tackling anti-social behaviour

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May 16, 2012

What About Ireland?

It was good to see the Prime Minister speak of a break-up of the Euro today, without being berated by his Chancellor in the way that some European Finance Ministers were yesterday.

The sooner the Euro breaks up and Europe begins to pick up the pieces, the sooner Europe will get back to growth, to our benefit as well as theirs. The truth though is that we are bystanders to this denouncement, having failed to veto their folly at Maastricht.

We can, of course, help Mediterranean countries that leave the Euro pay their way again by holidaying there as it becomes affordable once more.

Beyond that, the decision Britain faces is what we could do on our doorstep in respect of Ireland. With Euro break-up would Ireland have to go it alone like Greece, or would we be prepared to support Ireland make an orderly return to sterling?

That, of course, was the status quo ante before Ireland’s ill-fated European currency arrangements, with sterling notes and coins continuing to circulate long after independence, and every Irish pound being backed one for one under a sterling currency board until Ireland joined the ERM in 1979.

Eighteen months ago I commissioned an opinion poll in the Republic which showed, even then, that more than a third of Irish people wanted to leave the Euro and return to sterling, with support strongest amongst the young and, interestingly, Sinn Fein supporters.

What would be in this for the UK, beyond supporting friends and neighbours to whom we are tied by history? Well, we could:

1) avoid a collapse in trade and competitiveness with one of our most important export markets;

2) protect a still fragile UK banking system which has uniquely substantial exposure to Ireland; and

3) ensure proper priority for UK creditors, by reversing their EU-inspired subordination to European Central Bank credit and the largely Germany holders of (mis-)guaranteed Irish bank senior debt.

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Filed under conservatives, Crisis, daniel hannan, david cameron, economy, europe, Eurozone, george osborne, Greece, ireland, mark reckless, rochester and strood

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May 15, 2012

The man who said “The Euro is here to stay”

Rt Hon George Osborne MP

Rt Hon George Osborne MP

At Treasury Questions on 6 September last year my mild-mannered Kent colleague Julian Brazier MP asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if:

“the weaker countries will not be able to push water up hill for much longer and are bound to drop out of the euro before very long?”.

George Osborne replied:

“the euro is here to stay”.

Having unwisely made such a forecast eight months ago, the Chancellor is now reduced to ticking off his European counterparts for publicly talking about Euro break-up.

Such loose talk, he tells us, is responsible for turmoil in the markets.

Apparently, if only they kept their heads in the sand stock markets would stabilise!

When will our government realise that the sooner the Euro breaks up the sooner Europe will get back to growth? Later than the Greeks and the Germans it appears.

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May 11, 2012

Local MP Cuts Ribbon To Declare New Sue Ryder Chatham Shop Open

Mark Reckless joins staff and volunteers at opening of new Sue Ryder shop on Chatham

Mark Reckless joins staff and volunteers at opening of new Sue Ryder shop on Chatham

Shoppers queued eagerly today to get into the new Sue Ryder shop on Chatham High Street.

Shoppers keen for a bargain were certainly in for a treat when Mark Reckless, MP for Rochester and Strood, officially declared the shop open at 9.30am so the budget-friendly retail therapy could begin. They bagged some fantastic finds at the High Street store, which is located in a prime position, opposite Debenhams.

An amazing £1,015 worth of sales were made on the opening day. Sue Ryder retail business manager Samantha Leahy said:

“Our fabulous new store offers an excellent shopping experience, whether you’re looking for handbags, books, music DVDs, a vintage dress or any number of other shopping delights. If you missed the opening why not drop in soon and see for yourself! Sue Ryder promises to be THE place to shop in Chatham, with proceeds going to help Sue Ryder provide specialist hospice and neurological care, including that at our 14 Hospices / Care Centre.”

MP Mark Reckless said:

“I’m so pleased to have had the opportunity to open this Sue Ryder shop. It will provide a great shopping experience for local people as well as employment and volunteering opportunities. It is great that it will also give people a chance to support the work Sue Ryder do providing specialist care and support to people with long-term and end of life conditions. Funds raised in these shops make an important contribution to Sue Ryder’s delivery of high quality care and the quality of goods on offer is simply excellent.”

Led by shop manager Nicola, the Sue Ryder staff and volunteer team were on hand to show shoppers around the store which stocks a selection of second hand clothes, accessories, music and books as well as a wide range of quality new goods, including art equipment, guitars and dolls’ houses.

Shop manager Nicola said:

“The grand opening was brilliant, with the shop overflowing with customers. And to take almost £1,015 in just eight hours is truly fantastic. There is something for everyone and every home and I am sure shoppers will continue to be delighted by the exceptional quality, value and wide range of goods we are selling.”

Money raised from the shop will help Sue Ryder to continue to provide local expert and compassionate care to people living with end of life and long-term conditions such as cancer, stroke, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, dementia, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and motor neurone disease.

Samantha Leahy Area Manager Kent & East Sussex added:

“We are still recruiting volunteers to help with everything from sorting and preparing stock to merchandising and sales and are also appealing for people to donate good quality clothing, books and bric-a-brac. By supporting Sue Ryder in this way, local people can help us to make a real difference to the lives of the people we care for each year. Anyone wanting to join our volunteer team should contact me by email: Samantha.leahy@suerydercare.org phone on 07881-781574”

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May 3, 2012

Ministerial Pensions – an open letter to Francis Maude

Rt Hon Francis Maude MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA

2nd May 2012

Dear Francis,

The House of Commons Library notified me that you slipped out a ministerial statement yesterday as Parliament was being prorogued and few MPs were here. You stated that:

“In order to ensure that this change in contributions does not inadvertently increase the benefits earned by the members of this pension scheme, which are determined by a complex calculation, it is now necessary to make some further small technical changes by way of an amendment scheme”.

I would be grateful if you would confirm the following:

1)   I was correct in warning on 20th March that the changes which you were going to bring in on 1st April would have the effect of increasing Cabinet Minister pensions;

2)   If I had not pursued this issue, you would have ensured that Cabinet Ministers, uniquely in the public sector, would have been paid bigger pensions in return for making higher pension contributions;

3)   Your statement to Parliament yesterday that your 1st April changes would “increase the benefits earned by the members of this pension scheme” is incorrect, as only Cabinet Ministers would have received higher pensions and more junior ministers would have paid for these by receiving lower pensions;

4)   Whether you, or your special adviser, on or around 2nd April made statements to the media describing what I had published as “wrong” and denying that your pension changes would increase Cabinet Minister pensions;

5)   If such statements were made by your special adviser or other media conduit, whether you personally authorised it and take responsibility for them;

6)   You failed to consult the trustees of the pension scheme about the further changes which you have made to the scheme from 1st May and that their legality may consequently be questioned;

7)   Cabinet Ministers will still receive higher pensions in return for their higher contributions on account of accrual during April, contrary to what you told Parliament in your ministerial statement of 1st May;

8)   Whether you fully notified minister of state and under-secretaries of the reduced pension they would receive following your 1st April changes;

9)   The extent to which you oversee changes to civil service pensions or have a role, consultative or otherwise, in respect of other public sector pension schemes; and

10) Whether it is appropriate for you to continue exercising such responsibility in light of your management of the ministerial pension scheme.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Reckless MP
Member of Parliament for Rochester and Strood

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May 2, 2012

Minister visits Medway’s regeneration hotspots

Bob Neil, Mark Reckless and Rodney Chambers with apprentices at Rochester riverside

Bob Neil, Mark Reckless and Rodney Chambers with apprentices at Rochester riverside

Medway came under the microscope this week as a key regeneration hotspot of the Thames Gateway.

Government minister Bob Neill visited as part of a tour of North Kent to see how investment is continuing to improve the area.

He first went to Chatham, where he was shown the new road scheme and officially opened the bus station, before going to Rochester Riverside to see the Hyde Housing development taking shape.

At Rochester Riverside, the minister also met with six apprentices from Medway who have been taken on to help with the construction of affordable homes on the site.

Minister Bob Neill and Cllr Rodney Chambers with plaque at Chatham bus station official opening

Minister Bob Neill and Cllr Rodney Chambers with plaque at Chatham bus station official opening

At the Chatham Waterfront Bus Station, Mr Neill – the Thames Gateway Minister – unveiled a plaque in the Visitor Centre and commented on the great improvement the new bus station has made to the area.

He added that this was particularly evident when comparing it to the old, outdated Pentagon Bus Station – which he used when he was a barrister visiting the magistrates’ court in Chatham.

Mr Neill, whose ministerial brief includes local government, said:

“I’m delighted to be able to visit Chatham and open the new bus station – a symbol of development and regeneration.

“The Thames Gateway is well and truly open for business and offers untold potential for industry, employment and housing close to central London. I look forward to seeing the progress that the area makes in the coming years.”

Mr Neill added that as he lived in Chislehurst, he was a close neighbour to Medway, and was impressed to see how much regeneration had happened in recent years.

Miniter Bob Neill with Cllrs Alan Jarrett and Rodney Chambers and Glen Shuttleworth and bus station in Chatham

Miniter Bob Neill with Cllrs Alan Jarrett and Rodney Chambers and Glen Shuttleworth and bus station in Chatham

Rodney Chambers, the Leader of Medway Council, added:

“I was very pleased to show Mr Neill around some of the key regeneration sites in Medway and he seemed suitably impressed with what has happened, and is continuing to happen here.

“He remarked that he knows Medway as he lives nearby and he was very interested in how his ministerial department – Communities and Local Government – has helped regeneration in Medway.

“Mr Neill officially opened Chatham’s Waterfront Bus station, which is used by around 1,100 buses and 60,000 passengers a week, during his visit and it was good to show him how well it is working and how much better it is than the old, outdated Pentagon Bus Station.”

Arriva’s Regional General Manager Glen Shuttleworth said:

“The new bus station is an important part of the regeneration of the central Medway area and we are very pleased with the way that it has been operating from the very start.

“Its layout allows us to operate and manage our services more effectively than was possible in the old bus station and the improved environment has been welcomed by our staff and customers.”

During the ministerial visit on Tuesday, 1 May, Mr Neil, Cllr Chambers and Mark Reckless, MP for Rochester and Strood, also met apprentices at Rochester Riverside and looked at the new Hyde Housing affordable homes development underway there.

Mr Reckless said:

“I was delighted to welcome Bob Neill to Rochester to see some of the significant regeneration work which is being done locally here in Medway.

“Medway Council in partnership with Hyde Housing are working hard to deliver quality affordable and private sector housing on Rochester Riverside. It was great to see we are also giving our young people the opportunity to gain much needed hands on experience through Medway’s very successful apprenticeship scheme.

“This, coupled with the government backed 95 per cent mortgage scheme, aimed at helping aspiring individuals and families get onto the property ladder, will really help local people get ahead here in Medway.”

Steve White, Chief Executive of the Hyde Group, added:

“We’re very proud of what we’ve achieved at Rochester Riverside, working in partnership with Medway Council.

“The development partnership is not only building desirable and much needed homes; it’s also providing opportunities into employment for young local people. I was delighted to be able to share the work so far and our vision for the future of this part of Medway.”

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May 1, 2012

Southeastern Timetable Consultation – Have Your Say

Mark Reckless is inviting commuters based in the Rochester and Strood constituency to have their say on the proposed changes to the Southeastern timetable which will come into effect on 10th December 2012.

Copies of the proposed timetables can be downloaded below.

Southeastern are proposing to make a number of changes on both the High Speed and Mainline/Metro services which may affect local commuters so it is important to ensure that everyone has their say.

Rail users can comment directly on the proposed changes via the Southeastern website – click here.

Alternatively, Mark would like to hear your views on the timetables, and on Southeastern’s performance generally. All submissions will be forwarded on to Southeastern’s management as part of the consultation. Please use the form below to submit your views but please note that Mark is only able to speak on behalf of commuters who reside in the Rochester and Strood constituency.

Timetables

Chatham line Monday to Friday

Chatham line Saturday

High Speed Monday to Friday

High Speed Saturday

Feedback Form

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April 30, 2012

Welcoming the Armed Forces Covenant in Medway

Mark Reckless visits RSME (Brompton)

Mark Reckless visits RSME (Brompton)

On Thursday evening, Medway councillors unanimously agreed on a Community Armed Forces Covenant. The covenant is backed by a variety of organisations in Medway and is designed to recognise the hard work and bravery of the Armed Forces. The covenant pledges its support for all members, both past and present.

This is fantastic news for Medway, which is both an area steeped in military history as well as home to a thriving forces base. The covenant will be moulded so that it covers the wide range of issues which personnel face.

The Government is providing around £300 million to be awarded to community projects across the country over the next four years.

Medway Council’s Robin Cooper has been liaising with the Royal Engineers to establish a steering group which will work with the Armed Forces community as well as charitable and voluntary sectors to meet the aims of the Covenant.

The Covenant goes some way towards celebrating the huge achievement of the Armed Forces over the years and comes at a time when the Forces need our support more than ever. I would like to congratulate all who have worked on this project and think it forms a timely tribute to coincide with the 200th Anniversary of the Royal School of Military Engineering in Brompton, the Instution of which I am a proud to be an Honorary Member of.

I hope this opportunity for Medway to work with the Armed Forces will both reward them for their hard work and provide a chance for further uniting our communities.

For further information on the 200th anniversary of RSME, please click here

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