ABOUT
Find out more about my work, campaigns and how to help make our local area better for everyone.
ABOUT ME
I delivered my Maiden Speech in Parliament in September 2024 as the new MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford.
It was only right to start by paying tribute to my predecessor Sir David Evennett, who served as the MP since 2005, and before that as MP for Erith and Crayford 1983-1997.
I’m proud to have spent my whole life living in our borough. I’ve devoted 20 years to local public service as a councillor representing Belvedere. I’ve held many roles in my time on the council including four years as Leader of the Opposition. I served as Cabinet Member for Transport under the last Labour administration from 2003-06 where I worked with trade unions to save direct Bexleyheath to Victoria train services, delivered road safety improvements, and ensured the Elizabeth Line came south of the river to Abbey Wood.
I joined the Labour Party thirty years ago committed to building investment in public services and an economy that delivers for working people. I saw the difference the last Labour Government made to our public services and have watched in despair at how the Conservatives have crashed the economy and decimated our public services.
It is a privilege to have been elected as the Labour MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford in July 2024 as part of the new Labour Government. It’s an opportunity for change and about giving the people of Bexleyheath and Crayford their future park.
My wife is a teacher in the borough and we have two primary aged children – one of which has cerebral palsy and requires full time care support. I work closely with local parent groups supporting and campaigning on behalf of children with disabilities and their families both across the borough and nationally with SCOPE and the Changing Places campaign.
While the Conservatives don’t seem to appreciate how tough things are for local families, I understand the struggles faced across the constituency. As a family, we know how difficult the cost of living crisis and the sharp rise in mortgage and rents after the Conservatives crashed the economy has made things.
With Keir Starmer at the helm, Labour is back in the service of working people. We will put an end to 14 years of Tory chaos and decline with a plan for national renewal, built on a bedrock of economic stability.
Our Labour Government is delivering the change we need to take back our streets, get the NHS back on its feet, break down barriers to opportunity and get Britain building again.
MY PRIORITIES
I have lived in this area my whole life. I know the challenges our area and our community faces. I will always be a strong local voice in Parliament, championing local issues and fighting on your behalf.
As your MP, I work tirelessly all year round to make sure that I can effectively represent you. I host regular drop-in surgeries to support constituents.
I know I won’t please everyone all of the time. But as your local representative, I always do what I think best represents the views of our area and make it clear why I have come to a particular position.
I believe that housing is a universal human right. As a local councillor for 20 years, I saw first hand how badly we need to improve the standard of housing and provide more affordable housing.
Working with housing associations in the constituency, I am working to improve decent home standards and find ways to maximise the provision of affordable housing on new development sites.
The growth of street homelessness in the constituency is a disgrace and I continue to support our Labour Government to assist those impacted and to reduce those living on our streets.
Since the previous Conservative Government decided to directly run the Southeastern railway franchise, we have seen a reduction in the number of trains and the destinations they serve. I believe we should have a publicly owned service that delivers for residents by increasing the number of Crayford loop to Abbey Wood services and increases the number of trains from Barnehurst, Bexleyheath and Slade Green stations. As the parent of a wheelchair user, I know the access issues that too many residents face and I am continually working to ensure access improvements to our stations.
I know what it takes to campaign for bus improvements given my record as Cabinet Member for Transport at Bexley Council. As your MP I will continue to advocate for better and new public transport links across the constituency including to Abbey Wood Station and to our health services.
I know how vital the NHS is to families across the constituency. One of our children has cerebral palsy, my wife has epilepsy and the amazing support given to her with her chemotherapy during the pandemic will never be forgotten by our family. However, with record waiting lists, too many of us are seeing our NHS creaking.
As your MP, I believe it is essential that a new modern Neighbourhood Health Centre at Erith Hospital is delivered. That would provide patient services not just at conventional times but offer services in the evenings and at weekends; so that everyone can access good quality healthcare.
As a Labour Government we are working to give the NHS the staff and technology it needs to cut waiting times; improve mental health provision and increase cancer survival rates.
As the parent of a child who requires full time care support, I know how crucial it is that we improve social care for all in our community and I will continue to work tirelessly to improve this.
Between 2010-2024, the Conservatives cut police numbers across the country and the last Conservative Mayor of London closed two of the three police stations in our borough. I believe we need to increase the number of police and PCSOs on our streets, and I am supporting the Mayor of London and Labour’s national mission to make Britain’s streets safe.
I was a shopworker for 11 years and know how important it is to reduce abuse, threats and violence against shopworkers as well as those working in hospitality, public services and other front line services. I will always support measures to make our high streets and communities safer for all workers.
The Labour Government has set out a range of crucial measures to reduce violence against women and girls, preventing youth crime and to rebuild our criminal justice system which I will always support in Parliament.
Labour Governments have always transformed opportunities for children. I will always fight to ensure that all children receive the education and support they deserve.
I will continue to support our new Labour Government to create a modern childcare system that is high quality and affordable; with breakfast clubs in every primary school to give children the best start; and more teachers, paid for by ending tax breaks for private schools.
A child’s background should not be a barrier to opportunity, and Labour’s Early Years Plan and measures to reduce child poverty will help empower children and their parents.
I know first hand the issues faced by families of children with special educational needs and disabilities. I will continue to work with parent representative groups in our community to support families and ensure they receive the support they deserve.
I know the value of work which was instilled in me by my parents and grandparents. For far too many families in today’s Britain, the cost of living crisis has meant that despite working hard, the weekly wage doesn’t cover the bills.
I worked for Marks and Spencer for eleven years. While I worked at a number of stores, my working life started here at the Bexleyheath store. Since then I have been self-employed and understand the challenges of working for yourself.
I will continue to support our Labour Government’s plans to make work pay. Within Parliament and the constituency, I will always support measures to close the gender pay gap; end low pay; grow apprenticeship opportunities; tackle job insecurity; end in-work poverty; and implement an employment rights bill.
I am a strong supporter of breaking down barriers for disabled people and will continue to work to implement the social model of disability.
GET IN TOUCH
As your local MP there are a number of different things I can help you with or offer advice on, such as; benefits, immigration, tax issues, problems with the NHS, child maintenance and education matters.
I would love to hear from you about what you think my priorities should be as your MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford and what matters most to you.
Please use the contact form to get in touch with me. Please remember to provide as many details as possible, including your name, address and full details of your issue.
