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The "grey belt" con that's misleading the public
Why can’t Ministers admit that the term “grey belt” is a dishonest concoction which they’ve created to mislead the pubic while they grab our precious grab green belt.
garethbaconmp
6 days ago1 min read


Under threat: Green Belt in St Paul's Cray
There’s yet another threat to our precious green belt. This time it’s in St Paul’s Cray, off Chalkpit Avenue, where developers want to build up to 130 housing units on protected land. It will put even more pressure on our roads, schools, GP surgeries and local services — and it will desecrate our green space. Your voice matters. Please sign the petition to protect our green belt at St Paul’s Cray. Below, you can hear more from Conservative Council Candidate Dr Bola Adediran,
garethbaconmp
Mar 91 min read


Middle East: We need clarity over plan to bring home British citizens
I have been contacted by worried constituents whose relatives are trapped in Qatar. They have been asking for days what the government’s plan is to bring British citizens home. So far there’s been no clear plan, no confirmed repatriation flights, and no reassurance for families. This situation had been foreseeable for weeks as tensions escalated in the region. The government’s dithering and delay on every decision is an embarrassment to our country and it is failing our citiz
garethbaconmp
Mar 91 min read


Parliamentary recognition for Phoenix Early Learners
Very well deserved recognition in Parliament for the phenomenal team behind Phoenix Early Learners in Petts Wood. After the sudden closure of Crofton Early Learners, staff, carers, parents and volunteers rolled up their sleeves and - at great speed - built something new for local families. Very well done to all at Phoenix Early Learners.
garethbaconmp
Mar 41 min read


Phoenix Early Leaners now open
At the end of last year, Crofton Early Learners closed its doors. It was a huge blow for dedicated staff and local families suddenly left without childcare. But they didn’t give up. A determined group of parents, volunteers, and early-years professionals rolled up their sleeves and created Phoenix Early Learners. In just two months, they secured a venue, kitted it out, and got the green lights from Ofsted and the Charity Commission. It is now up and running and I was delig
garethbaconmp
Feb 201 min read


Education on methanol poisoning
In November 2024, Simone White from Orpington lost her life following a mass methanol poisoning incident. She was one of six tourists who died after drinking contaminated alcohol at a hostel in Laos. Simone’s family have since campaigned for increased awareness and education on the dangers of methanol poisoning abroad. This week, I submitted a petition to Parliament calling on the government to ensure that children are taught about the dangers of consuming bootleg alcohol
garethbaconmp
Feb 21 min read


My objection to proposed green belt development in St Mary Cray
I've now formally submitted my objection to the proposed St Mary Cray green belt development. The proposal to build around 350 homes on farmland south of Crockenhill Road is wrong — in principle and in practice. My objection covers the following: The land is not so called “grey belt”. It hasn’t been developed and doesn’t even meet the government’s own definition. Local roads are narrow and unsuitable for major construction traffic. GP surgeries, schools and local infrastr
garethbaconmp
Jan 191 min read


Bromley paying the price for Sadiq Khan's housebuilding failure
Housebuilding has fallen consistently in London over the last decade. The government’s response? To cut Sadiq Khan’s targets by 11% while jacking up targets for outer London authorities. I asked the Housing Secretary why people in Bromley should pay the price for the Mayor of London’s failure.
garethbaconmp
Jan 141 min read


Our green belt is under serious threat
A developer wants to build a new housing estate on Strawberry Fields in Darwin Ward. It is green belt land. Their early proposals would see 650 homes as well as a care home and a community centre. There isn’t a formal planning application yet but the developer has already been in conversation with the council about submitting one. I joined Paul Marshall from the Aperfield Green Belt Action Group to hear about the grave consequences this would have on local people living h
garethbaconmp
Dec 18, 20251 min read


They're coming after our green belt
A developer is eyeing up Strawberry Fields in Darwin Ward for a major housing development on protected green belt land. Early plans point to 650 homes, plus a care home and a community centre — this would dramatically alter the character of the area put massive strain on infrastructure. There’s no formal planning application yet, but the developer is already in discussions with the council about bringing one forward. I met with neighbouring MP Peter Fortune to talk through t
garethbaconmp
Dec 18, 20251 min read


Labour are coming after our residential gardens
Labour is failing dismally at building houses. They have delivered fewer homes in their first year of office than the previous Conservative government had during the global pandemic. Now they are ignoring the voices of local people across the country (in places like St Mary Cray, Chelsfield and Darwin Ward), and imposing top down targets disproportionately in rural areas. They are coming after our green belt — and residential gardens. More in my Commons statement below.
garethbaconmp
Dec 18, 20251 min read


Say NO to green belt development in St Mary Cray
A formal planning application has now been submitted to build 350 homes on farming land just south of Crockenhill Road in St Mary Cray. If approved, this will irreversibly damage our green belt and permanently change the character of our area. Time is tight. We must act now. Please submit your objection via Bromley Council. Link here . 🗓️Deadline: 19/01/2026 📋 Application number: 25/05427/OUT I will also be formally objecting to the plans and writing my response over Chri
garethbaconmp
Dec 15, 20251 min read


Budget Day News Shopper column
I hope the Chancellor has been listening to what struggling families and businesses have been saying. Today, she can choose to turn the tide on rising unemployment, stubborn inflation and record borrowing — with serious control of public spending, sensible savings, and tax cuts that actually stimulate growth. More in my latest News Shopper column .
garethbaconmp
Nov 26, 20251 min read


Budget 2025: Britain is sick of endless tax hikes
126,000 jobs have gone since the last Budget — and the next one is in 6 days. Families and businesses in Orpington fear more tax hikes to cover unchecked spending. The Conservative Party has come up with another way. The Chancellor can still change course — and steal our homework. Will she?
garethbaconmp
Nov 20, 20251 min read


What exactly are Orpington businesses paying more tax for?
This week, the Chancellor gave a panicked press conference in which she all but confirmed that more tax rises are on the way in this month’s Budget, breaking a promise she made 30 times since the last budget. In Orpington, local businesses are telling me that they are being forced to freeze recruitment and expansion plans because of increasing costs. The Chancellor claims that she needs higher taxes to pay for the NHS. Yet new ONS figures show NHS productivity is fallin
garethbaconmp
Nov 5, 20251 min read


Orpington's Cash Converters raided for selling stolen goods
Last week, police raided Orpington’s Cash Converters for selling stolen goods including speakers, earphones and beauty products. This was part of a bigger operation which targeted retailers selling stolen goods — thousands of pounds of items were seized, multiple arrests were made, and a number of stores are now facing closure. I believe four arrests were made at the Orpington Cash Converters raid. This work is testament to Bromley’s Neighbourhood Policing Superintendent Luke
garethbaconmp
Oct 23, 20251 min read


News Shopper column: Abolishing stamp duty and business rates will help people in Orpington
In this week’s News Shopper, I write about two properly thought through Conservative Party policies that will make life better for people in Orpington: abolishing stamp duty and business rates. Stamp duty is a bad tax. Getting rid of it will help young people get onto the housing ladder, growing families to move somewhere bigger, and older people who might want to downsize. Crucially, it will get the market moving again and free up much needed space. As for business rates,
garethbaconmp
Oct 16, 20251 min read


Sadiq Khan is failing on affordable housing
Sadiq Khan is failing on building affordable homes in Greater London. The previous government awarded him almost £9 billion to build 151,000 affordable homes. The second tranche of this money consisted of £4 billion for building 35,000 homes between 2021 and end March 2026. To date only 997 have been completed. The figures say it all: the Mayor’s housing record has been dismal during his time in office. And because of his failings, he has now abandoned all of his promised gre
garethbaconmp
Oct 16, 20251 min read


Mandatory ID cards are not the answer.
The government is consumed by national debt, infighting and scandal — and their answer? Mandatory ID cards. I am strongly opposed to...
garethbaconmp
Oct 13, 20251 min read


News Shopper column: Worst year on record for illegal boat crossings
My latest column for the News Shopper is on the Conservative Party's properly thought through policies to tackle illegal immigration. 29,000 illegal immigrants have crossed the Channel so far this year — the worst year ever and up 38% on the previous 12 months. This is despite Keir Starmer's election promise to "smash the gangs". One of the big mistakes his government made was cancelling the Rwanda deterrent. Meanwhile, the Conservative Party have laid out clear and workable
garethbaconmp
Oct 13, 20251 min read
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