Category Archives: Articles

This week we are awaiting some important figures to tell us whether the UK economy went forward in the first three months of this year or not. We already know that prices went up more than the Bank forecast, that wage increases are very low and household budgets are still being squeezed. I have been [...]

It’s been a very busy couple of weeks, despite Parliament once again packing up early for a seasonal break. I think Parliament should have met this week, given the wide range of problems people are raising. As I feared, the Coalition’s budget left many people feeling a bit bruised. The bills are coming in to [...]

It was not the budget I wanted to hear. I would have liked a further reduction in spending, starting with immediate withdrawal of our forces from Afghanistan to save both money and lives. I would have liked the UK to open negotiations with the EU over the excessive EU budget, and seek a reduction. Then [...]

Last week was a busy one in the Commons. We held a good debate on the problem of Iran and nuclear weapons. I am urging Ministers to be part of western diplomatic efforts to tackle the problem out by talking. There is no obvious military solution on offer, and the United Nations is not about [...]

This week Parliament is having a half term holiday! It is so frustrating, when there is a Greek crisis, the run up to the UK budget, tensions in the Middle East, rows over the Health Service reforms and much else that we need to be sorting out. I have to turn up the heat on [...]

I am relieved that Mr Hesker decided to waive his bonus at RBS. I have been unhappy for sometime about the remit the last government gave to RBS, and the remuneration offered to senior Directors to carry it out. I have been lobbying the Coalition government to change both the task set the Board, and [...]

Last week I met the head of Network Rail for our area. It was the most productive and positive meeting I have had with the railway track operator in my time as MP. For many years I have been urging the case for a new station for Wokingham. I have wanted this new development as [...]

This week we are waiting for the Autumn Statement from the Chancellor, due on Tuesday 29th November. Amidst all the red ink, as the Chancellor accepts there will be less revenue and more public spending than planned, there should be some good news to try to get the economy growing more quickly. I am looking [...]

Things changed after the vote on a European referendum a couple of weeks ago in Parliament. The government recognised the force of feeling amongst Conservative MPs and in the country. Instead of condemning us for disagreeing, they announced they are going to draw up a list of powers and functions they want to get back [...]

No wonder politics has a bad name. This week all three main parties whipped their MPs to stop a referendum on EU matters which many in the public want. In an attempt to make politics closer to people this government launched two excellent innovations. It allowed backbench MPs to choose the business on certain Parliamentary [...]