May Mode
A glimpse into my work as your proud MP for Chatham and Aylesford.
Welcome!
Thank you for taking a moment out of a busy day to read this.
Consultation Conversations
This spring I’ve spent a fair bit of time surveying across Chatham and Aylesford. Whether the issue is large-scale investment, planning, transport, or neighbourhood concerns, I have increasingly found that people want the opportunity to shape decisions earlier and more meaningfully, rather than simply react once choices have already been made.
A good example of this is the proposed new Costco warehouse near the Aylesford Interchange. Earlier this year, Costco launched its public consultation on plans for what would be Kent’s first warehouse club, just south of Junction 5 of the M20.
Since then, I have received feedback from 516 residents across Chatham and Aylesford through my own engagement work. Views have been mixed, though generally constructive. Many people have welcomed the potential for new jobs, investment, and wider consumer choice locally, while others have understandably raised questions around traffic, infrastructure, and the impact on surrounding roads and communities. I’ll be feeding this back, the good and the bad, to those pitching the idea.
Alongside this, I have also been engaging extensively with residents regarding the ongoing issues surrounding the Capstone Oaks development. To date, 250+ of you are engaging with me on this issue, with concerns focusing particularly on dust, debris, construction disruption, and the wider impact on day-to-day quality of life for nearby households.
Following this feedback, I carried out a site visit and have since written directly to Medway Council requesting further engagement between officers, the developer, and myself to discuss mitigation measures and ongoing concerns.
Tribute to Cllr Phil Filmer
Conservative councillor Phil Filmer has sadly died at the age of 74. I knew Phil well and served as the opposition spokesperson for his brief on Medway Council.
He was a true gentleman: thoughtful, experienced, ever-affable, and someone who always made time to listen to others, regardless of politics or position. He brought both wit and warmth to public life, alongside a genuine commitment to Medway and the people he served.
His passing is a real loss to Medway, and my thoughts are with his family, friends, and former Conservative colleagues at this difficult time.
Well Deserved Recognition
In slightly more uplifting news, it was wonderful to see long-term Luton champion Keith Clear and his daughter Moya on stage at the Pride in Medway Awards.
Keith was named Volunteer of the Year for 2026, a thoroughly deserved recognition for someone who has given so much time, energy, and care to the local community over many years, wearing many different hats along the way.
People like Keith quietly make places better, often without seeking recognition, and it was fantastic to see that contribution properly celebrated.
Assisted Dying
You may have seen the news that the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has been lost in the House of Lords. Assisted dying was a question of conscience, debated and supported in the House of Commons and one where public opinion and the chamber rarely aligned.
What followed in the Lords was not revision, but delay. More than 1,280 amendments were tabled, with over 800 coming from just seven peers. While amendments are a vital part of scrutiny, the sheer volume meant the bill ran out of time.
Whatever your view on assisted dying and I recognise it is a deeply contentious issue, it should give us pause when a measure backed by the Commons can be blocked in this way. I appreciate that this will be disappointing news for many.
Screens in Schools
In my last update, we spoke about the growing public opinion around children’s use of smartphones and social media, and my own thoughts as a former secondary school teacher. Since then, the Government has announced plans to make schools in England legally phone-free through an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
I expect this will be welcomed news to many of you. The amendment would place existing guidance onto a statutory footing, meaning schools would be legally required to prohibit phone use during the school day, rather than simply being encouraged to do so.
Flood Risk & Resilience
Last week I met with Priscilla of the Lower Medway Internal Drainage Board at Leybourne Lakes Country Park in Larkfield to discuss local flood risk management and the challenges facing communities across our area.
Internal Drainage Boards play a really important role, often behind the scenes, maintaining waterways, managing drainage infrastructure, and helping reduce flood risk for residents, farmers, and businesses alike. It was also a useful opportunity to discuss how national funding and policy are translating into tangible local benefits on the ground.
Lastly
Here are five reasons to be hopeful:
Thousands of workers across Chatham and Aylesford received a pay rise this year following increases to the National Living Wage, helping boost earnings for lower-paid workers and families locally.
The new Renters’ Rights Act has now come into force, ending Section 21 “no fault” evictions in England and introducing stronger protections and greater security for private renters.
More than £400,000 is being made available through Medway Council’s Medway Together Fund, supporting charities, voluntary groups and grassroots organisations delivering projects that strengthen communities and improve opportunities across Medway.
The Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust has reached its £250,000 fundraising target to help upgrade intensive care facilities for babies at Medway Maritime Hospital, supporting some of the most vulnerable children and families in our area.
More than 654,000 patients received a cancer diagnosis within 4 weeks, that’s 28,000 more than in summer ‘24. On top of that, an extra 2,400 patients started cancer treatment within 62 days of their diagnosis.