Three weeks ago, we wrote to Sadiq Khan demanding justice for the thousands of drivers unfairly fined on the A20. Three weeks later, and not even the courtesy of a reply. A Crown Court has ruled that the traffic order and notice underpinning the temporary speed restriction were unlawful. Many drivers received multiple fines and points, and some even lost their jobs as a result of it. You’d have thought the Mayor and TFL would be doing everything they can to put this right. Yet instead of helping affected motorists, TfL says it will help police RESIST their appeals. It’s a scandal. The Mayor needs to come out of hiding and deal wth this because it isn’t going away.

Last week, we wrote to the Mayor of London asking what he is doing to put right the thousands of unfair fines given to motorists on the A20. TfL had reduced the speed limit from 70mph to 40mph in October 2023. The problem was that some of the signs were at odds with sat nav systems and TfL even admitted that an erroneous sign had been put up by a third party. It led to widespread confusion with thousands being fined and receiving points on their licence. Some people even lost their jobs as a result. Now, a Crown Court has ruled that that the temporary speed restriction was unlawful. So if the speed restriction itself was unlawful in the first place, how can any of the fines issued because of it be valid? I’m astounded that the Mayor of London hasn’t responded to our letter yet. He needs to take this seriously and set out how affected people can get their money back and their points cancelled. I’ll keep you posted.

I’ve had a few people get in touch asking what’s happening with the plans to build 350 housing units on farming land in St Mary Cray. Bromley Council have indicated they intend to refuse planning permission but that's not the end of it. The decision has now been referred to the Mayor of London and Housing Secretary who both have powers to intervene. Local people know their area best and don't want this on their green belt. They must be listened to.

A little over two years ago, Labour came into power promising to stop the boats. It hasn’t happened. More than 2,000 illegal immigrants crossed into Britain in just the first two weeks of Andy Burnham becoming Prime Minister. But he’ll still tell you that the plan is working. And for all of Reform UK’s rhetoric, they have no detailed plan or funding. Meanwhile, the Conservatives have worked up a sensible and fair borders plan. I explain in the video.

I’m appalled by reports that parakeets and other wildlife have been found shot with catapults in Priory Gardens. This is the latest in a string of attacks on our wildlife — it’s cruel and completely unacceptable. The government have so far refused my calls to license catapults. Locally, the police are doing what they can through patrols, stop and searches and taking action against those responsible. But the law as it stands only allows the police to do so much. I’m talking to them and the local council, to see what more we can do. And I will keep raising this in Parliament to force them to take the issue seriously. We have to stamp it out.

Many people have contacted me about the upcoming closure of TG Jones, and what it means for the Post Office counter inside the store on Orpington High Street. I know how important it is that people can continue to access Post Office services locally, particularly older residents and those with limited mobility. I’m in touch with the central Post Office team, who are looking for a local business that could potentially host a new counter in Orpington. If you run a local business and think you might have suitable space, please contact the Post Office or my team. We need an accessible Post Office here in the heart of Orpington, and I’ll keep pushing for a replacement.

Thank you to everyone who’s got in touch about the new proposed data centre off Sevenoaks Road in Orpington. We’re keeping a very close eye on this — and we will fight these plans. The scale of what’s being proposed is enormous: a two-storey data centre covering around 15,000 square metres and standing approximately 20 metres high, alongside electrical infrastructure, power equipment and water storage. And the proposed site is on our precious green belt. We should be protecting our green belt from inappropriate development, not allowing huge industrial scale buildings to be imposed upon it. These plans would also have a major impact on nearby Chelsfield, as Councillors Mike Botting and Sumeet Jalan explain.

Our precious green belt in Orpington is facing more serious threat — this time from a proposed new data centre off Sevenoaks Road. According to the plans, we would see a two-storey building covering around 15,000 square meters and standing about 20 metres high. The site would also include backup power equipment, electrical infrastructure, and water storage. It’s entirely inappropriate and we will fight it.

The number of Metropolitan Police Officers has fallen by 3,000. At the same time, overall crime in London has risen by 26%, while knife crime is up 27%. Given that more than 70% of the Met’s funding comes from the Home Office, I asked a Minister what the government is doing about it. The response? Yes but the murder rate is at its lowest level and the police have more money. But if the Met has more money, why are there 3,000 fewer police officers on our streets?