Labour are rushing through new laws to nationalise our railway, with almost no opportunity for scrutiny. Their ideological bill will give more power to the unions; we have no idea how much it will cost nor how it will improve passenger fares and services.  My colleagues and I are trying to amend the bill — I explain more in the video.  #strikes #unions #labourparty

While pensioners are being punished this winter, the unions are getting bumper deals. Despite the government offering a ‘no strings’ inflation busting pay rise to the ASLEF union, one of their main donors, they have already announced that they will continue to strike for months. And weeks after awarding junior doctors a 22% pay rise, (yes, 22%) the British Medical Association is already talking about more strike action next year.This new government must stand up to their unions, and I will do everything I can as Shadow Business Minister to hold them to account.

Taking away the Winter Fuel Payments from 10 million pensioners in the coldest months of the year is a cruel decision by the new government. While pensioners are being punished, the unions are being awarded billions in inflation busting pay deals, only for threats of yet more strike action. The Chancellor should do the right thing and listen to the dozens of charities who are urging her to scrap her plans on the Winter Fuel Payments.

This week, the new Chancellor Rachel Reeves claimed there was a “black hole” in the public finances. Any gap in public finances is largely because of the spending choices Labour are making. This is all too predictable and a big con to get the British public to accept their tax rises which were planned all along.

Before taking our seats in Parliament, fellow MPs and I have once again sworn allegiance to the Crown. God Save The King.

Good news — inflation has fallen back to the official 2% target and we should soon see interest rates beginning to fall. Taken with another expected fall in our energy bills next month, the cut in National Insurance, the rollout of government-funded childcare for 2 year olds; and the triple lock protecting state pensions — people in Orpington will start to feel tangible benefits whatever their stage of life. We have turned a corner after a tough few years, don’t let Labour ruin it. Vote for me, Gareth Bacon, on Thursday 4th July.

If you’re a pensioner, the Conservatives have committed to raise your tax-free pension allowance. We are on the side of pensioners, and our record speaks for itself. We introduced the triple lock which has seen the state pension go up by 8.5% this year. And if we are re-elected back into government, we will go further. Labour have point blank refused to match our pledge. (And if you are tempted to vote for Reform, you will most likely get a Labour MP and a Labour government.) Pensioners have paid taxes their whole lives and they now deserve security and peace of mind in their retirement. Vote Conservative — and vote for me, Gareth Bacon on 4th July. #pensions #pensioners #generalelection2024 #orpington

On July 4th, we have an opportunity to reverse the ULEZ extension and go much further to end Labour’s war on the motorist. Why couldn’t we have done this while in government? The government does not have the legal power to just overrule the Mayor of London; government legal advice was that attempts to block the expansion would have failed in the courts; Conservative MP Gareth Johnson introduced a Bill to overturn the ULEZ expansion (which the government supported), but it was talked out by Labour MPs; Conservative Mayoral Candidate Susan Hall campaigned to abolish the expansion but was defeated. Now the government has worked up substantial laws which will finally get rid of ULEZ from outer London and give local people the power to block 20mph zones and LTNs. So please vote Conservative on July 4th, vote for me Gareth Bacon, and let’s end this madness together. #ulez #ulezexpansion #generalelection2024

Together, we've recruited 3,468 additional police officers across Greater London. But they're too often moved to central London. As your MP, I'll fight for more neighbourhood police officers across Orpington. 🗳️ Vote for Gareth Bacon on 4th July. www.garethbacon.com