Dear Residents,
Thank you for your kind wishes following my election as Leader of the Conservative Party and His Majesty’s Opposition. I feel immensely honoured and privileged to have been given the opportunity to lead and would not be here had you not put your trust in me to represent North West Essex.
I’ve heard from many of you about National Grid’s Norwich to Tilbury pylon proposals over the last few weeks. Following the consultation over Summer, I’ve written to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, sharing our community’s frustration and calling for serious consideration of underground alternatives. Unfortunately, the Government seems determined to impose over 100 miles of pylons on our countryside across East Anglia, despite strong arguments against it.
This Labour Government simply doesn’t understand rural communities. Earlier this month over 10,000 farmers rallied in Westminster in opposition to the Government’s family farms tax, which will destroy farming as we know it. I’ve spoken to farmers here in North West Essex about the impact locally. It’s clear that if we want to reverse this, we are going to have to fight for it, and make sure that rural voices are heard.
As Leader of the Opposition I now have the best opportunity to effectively hold the Labour government to account on the promises they made to the electorate during the election, policies that affect communities like ours here in North West Essex. Having represented our constituency for the last 7 years, you have told me what matters most to you. My views have been formed by all those in our communities who I have met during surgeries, and visits to schools and businesses. I have corresponded with thousands of you on all kinds of topics from our NHS to law and order.
I will continue to be out and about across the constituency and country hearing from communities like ours. This newsletter will give you snippets of what I have been up to, and if you want to see more make sure you are following my social pages and reading my monthly columns in our local papers!
I want residents to know that my team and I will continue as we always have done to support you, so if you need any assistance, please email me at kemi.badenoch.mp@parliament.uk
National Grid’s pylon proposals
Locally, I have been hearing from those impacted by National Grid’s Norwich to Tilbury pylon proposals following the close of the statutory consultation.
This Government continues to ignore the serious concerns of local communities in North West Essex and across the East of England. I have written to Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband, sharing our communities’ opposition and urging them to consider underground alternatives for this project.
I will continue to push the Government to reconsider it’s approach to these proposals.
Prime Minister’s Questions
As part of my new role as Leader of the Opposition, I have the weekly opportunity to question the Prime Minister on the choices his government is taking; be that taxing education and family farms, giving away the Chagos Islands, supporting reparations or making offensive comments about the President-elect of the United States.
Stay tuned for today…
Standing up for our farmers
orth West Essex is a largely rural constituency, and our farmers form the backbone of our local economy. This is why I’ve spent recent weeks speaking to farmers across the country in opposition to the Government’s tax on family farms.
Many farms will simply not survive the imposition of this tax. Families who have farmed the land for generations could be forced to give up their businesses, their farms, their homes. This will jeopardise the sustainability of the rural economy and opportunities for our young farmers.
Supporting the concerns of farmers and residents remains a top priority. I will continue to work with Essex Police to help tackle rural crime, and to host events and roundtables with the National Farmers Union, Rural Payments Agency and farmers to discuss the impact of Government policy on the farming community.
Labour doesn’t understand rural constituencies like ours. To help make the Government listen to farmers, please click the link below and sign the petition.
Campaigning in Sewards End
I have been out knocking on doors with our local councillors, most recently with UDC Cllr John Moran and party activists in Sewards End
Residents raised concerns around broadband, R4U’s delayed local plan and Labour’s dismal first few months in office.
You will not be surprised to hear that parents and schools across North West Essex have written to me sharing their concerns with the Government’s short-sighted education tax.
I have written to the Secretary of State for Education sharing the concerns of schools like New Hall School in Chelmsford, as well as those of parents and educators who have contacted me in recent months.
This is student politics from the Labour party. This education tax is a tax on aspiration – it won’t raise a single penny, and will cause disruption across the board. The Government’s own predictions are that over 100 schools will close, and that 37,000 pupils in independent schools will be forced out, into already stretched state schools. Many of those will be pupils with SEND who will have to wait while their local authority puts in place measures to meet their needs.
I will continue to work with schools in North West Essex to help them deal with the impact of this disastrous policy.
UK Parliament Week
Last month we celebrated UK Parliament Week 2024 (18-24 November). It was great to see that this year 24 schools and youth groups signed up to take part!
Almost 90% of UKPW participants are young people under 16, who have the opportunity to learn more about the UK Parliament, its relevance to everyone’s day-to-day lives and the work MPs do, locally and nationally.
If you know a local school or youth group who may be interested in finding out more about what is on offer, including opportunities to visit Parliament, please direct them to: www.ukparliamentweek.org
A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening Scheme
The A12 is one of our busiest roads and provides an important route to Stansted Airport, the largest employer in North West Essex. The widening scheme aims to expand key sections between Chelmsford and Colchester, easing congestion, improving safety, and supporting economic growth across Essex and beyond.
Unfortunately, the Government has yet to re-commit to funding the programme. As local councils across the area have pointed out, the limited capacity of the highway is the most significant obstacle to strategic planning in the area and directly undermines the government’s planning agenda.
Similarly, improving the A120 remains a priority. Essex Highways’ ongoing scheme is delivering essential upgrades to this key corridor, including resurfacing, drainage repairs, and safety enhancements. These works will ensure smoother, safer journeys for all road users.
I’m pleased to report that following feedback, adjustments have been made to the timing of closures to minimise disruption.
I remain in regular contact with Essex Highways to ensure progress continues smoothly, and will continue calling on the Government to provide the infrastructure investment needed.
Meeting my Ukrainian Counterparts
I recently met with a delegation of Ukrainian Parliamentarians. We discussed the importance of our steadfast support for Ukraine and defending the principles of freedom and democracy against Russia’s aggression.
I know many residents participated in the previous Government’s Homes of Ukraine scheme and generously opened their homes to Ukrainian refugees.
It is important that the UK continues to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine against Russia, and I will work hard to ensure that the we continue to provide Ukraine with military support in order to defend its sovereign territory.
Saffron Walden Community Shed
I had a great visit to the Saffron Walden Community Shed recently.
The shed is a vital volunteer-led initiative that offers a space for local residents to pick up new skills, and have a chat and a cup of tea with others in the community. We have a few dotted around North West Essex, including one in Little Canfield which I visited last year.
Investment from the previous Conservative Government through the Shared Prosperity Fund helped the shed purchase a CNC router, which can cut intricate 3D images into wood – I was kindly presented with my very own wooden ministerial box during the visit!
Thank you to Peter, Brian, Grahame, Janet and everyone else who works hard to make the new space a thriving community hub.
You can find out more about community shed’s across the constituency here: essexshednetwork.co.uk