Latest news with #MarkFrancois
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
I'm fed up with the derogatory Nimby label says LEE BOYCE - I believe most of us are in the 'Cwibb' category instead
This week, yet another leaflet came through my letterbox asking for views on a development of 2,000 homes to be slapped up a few minutes away from said letterbox, encroaching on green belt land. Last month, it was a leaflet from a well-known German supermarket giant, asking for opinions on its plans to demolish an aquatics centre near-by and replace it with fish you buy for the dinner table, rather than ones for your tank, again a few minutes away from my front door. I've also been catching up on comments from our local MP, Mark Francois, who was rightly bringing numerous planned developments in the local area to public attention and questioning how infrastructure can cope with the scale of what is being suggested. He says 17,000-plus new homes planned by the local council is 'insane' and 'utterly unacceptable.' He said: 'With our local roads already maxed out, and hospitals full to bursting there is absolutely no way on earth our semi-rural district could possibly accommodate 17,000 new houses, including a new town on the Rochford-Southend border.' Say what you want about Mr Francois, but he speaks with passion about gargantuan local developments, and hopefully your local MP is equally as vocal. Whether concerns raised by MPs have any impact is another matter. The leaflets talk a good game. The housing development harps on about a new school, health facilities, and rather ironically, green space – but crucially, there is no concrete plan to deal with extremely heavy traffic that already exists on the roundabout near-by, the only route to get onto the main road. It's unlikely anything will be done about it – and with another couple of thousand residents added to the fray, it will, in a word, result in even more gridlock. That's because it is too far to walk to the train station that ferries commuters into London, which will mean more people driving to get there via the one single carriageway road that goes through the town, already at breaking point. This goes on top of another development well underway, where more than 1,000 homes are currently going up. I'm not sure how much more the town can cope, unless more services, facilities and roads are built, eating yet more green land. The thing many don't realise about large parts of Essex is the county is rural and semi-rural, the more so as you venture away from the capital. This means plenty of green space to eye up to build on, but the plans often don't take into account the already overwhelmed public services, amenities and transport networks. And this is a scenario replicated across the country. I get it. Homes need to be built. I own a home, so I'm labelled 'lucky' – I wouldn't be complaining if I was attempting to get onto the ladder, I know will be the cry. But no doubt what will go up are houses crammed in next to each other with postage stamp gardens, no real identity and a failure to grasp what people need. In my opinion, we need an increase in smaller one and two-bedroom bungalows in our area, to help people downsize. Will they be built? Nope. It'll be four and five bed monstrosities costing three quarters of a million pounds or more to help maximise the bottom line of the developer. I mentioned this to a friend the other day and he jokingly labelled me a Nimby – Not in My Back Yard. This catch-all, and quite derogatory term, has been forced onto local people just because they care about the community, traffic, overpopulation and essentially, having concerns about huge soulless developments. I wouldn't label myself a Nimby. No, I've invented a new term: Cwibb. It stands for: I Care What is Being Built. Us Cwibbs understand homes need to be built – don't want new ones to be blocked entirely - but with care and consideration to those who already live near-by, alongside the quality required for forking out huge sums to buy said homes. Is there anything wrong with that? Cwibbs know the area inside out – when the traffic is going to be bad to dodge it; how long it takes to get a doctor's appointment; how oversubscribed the best local schools are; how easy it is to get a loaf of bread and pint of milk, and from where, at any time of the day. We know more than the faceless developers, the people in government blindly sticking out building targets – we live and breathe the area, and fundamentally, we care about it. But ultimately, our concerns, our thoughts put down via the little QR code on the leaflet, won't count for anything. What is a developer going to do? Oh look, Mr Boyce has concerns about 2,000 homes going up, let's not do it. Oh, Mr Boyce says the roundabout is already a traffic nightmare, we'll drop a few million quid (and the rest) to build a junction that will manage traffic flow better. Oh, Mr Boyce says yet another supermarket isn't needed as he can already get to a dozen within 10 minutes, so let's not bother. Will I fill in the feedback form? Of course I will, it's my duty as a Cwibb. Will it make a blind bit of difference? I highly doubt it. But us Cwibbs and Nimbys are important, no matter who wants to berate us for caring – and the country would be a worse place without local people trying to help shape what we believe is best for an area we have chosen to reside, to put down roots, to start families, and to live and die in. This was published as our newsletter message on Thursday morning - get the weekly column before its published online, sent straight to your inbox, by signing up below: Best mortgage rates and how to find them Mortgage rates have risen substantially over recent years, meaning that those remortgaging or buying a home face higher costs. That makes it even more important to search out the best possible rate for you and get good mortgage advice. Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you To help our readers find the best mortgage, This is Money has partnered with the UK's leading fee-free broker L&C. This is Money and L&C's mortgage calculator can let you compare deals to see which ones suit your home's value and level of deposit. You can compare fixed rate lengths, from two-year fixes, to five-year fixes and ten-year fixes. 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The Independent
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
True cost of Chagos deal revealed for first time
Sir Keir Starmer has signed an agreement to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after a last-minute injunction to halt the move failed. The deal will see the UK give up sovereignty of the island territory to Mauritius and pay £101 million per year for 99 years to lease the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia back from the government. Thursday was the first time that the true cost of the deal – which Sir Keir said is vital for national security –was revealed. It could result in a total sum of £10bn being carved out of the UK's defence budget, but Sir Keir said that is cheaper than the running cost of running an aircraft carrier. Tory shadow defence minister Mark Francois said the deal is 'absolute madness' given recent cost-cutting measures by the Government.
Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Watch out Israel! Lammy's lathering up for more inaction
David Lammy looked angry. Well, he would: he took a taxi from the canteen to the Commons and it cost him £4,000. But also, His Majesty's Government has finally decided that it's done with Israel. With Gaza bordering on starvation, and Gary Lineker unleashed on Instagram, something must be done. The PM dropped a hint of 'action will be announced' in an earlier statement on the UK/EU/Surrender deal – a spectacle that also confirmed a change in Tory policy. They now favour a second referendum on Kemi Badenoch. Her speech in opposition to the deal was oddly misaligned from the microphone; Conservative MPs listened to her whisper in silence, or texted old girlfriends, while the gigantic Kit Malthouse rolled up his order paper and chewed it like a Peperami. Mark Francois (the shadow Armed Forces minister) alone spoke for In-ger-land. He yelled 'YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR OWN DEAL!' at a stunned PM. But then neither do most voters, and precious few will care. Britain has moved on from Brexit. Proof? Nigel Farage didn't even attend the debate. He's figured out that the animating issue for the centre-Right is now immigration, and while Starmer's youth mobility scheme will no doubt be open to their partners, grandparents and Albanian pimps, Labour's deal isn't a vote loser. All change for Gaza! The Tories left the chamber, the hard-Left marched in (pubs fill, shisha bars empty). Cue a fight between Lammy and Priti Patel that was Ali vs Foreman, re-enacted with pillows (for both knew it was fake). Lammy worked himself up into a moral lather: Israel's blockade was 'unjustifiable,' he said, 'disproportionate' and 'must stop'. So what was Britain going to do about this 'indefensible' crime? Stop trade talks and call in the ambassador for a scolding. If Israel drops the A-bomb, we'll cut them off our Christmas card list, too. Lammy assured the House that should the situation worsen, more inaction will follow. 'What are you waiting for?' yelled Kit Malthouse. Worryingly, his order paper was nowhere to be seen. Why has Labour dragged its feet against Israel? The answer might lie in Jeremy Corbyn. The party is so scarred by past accusations of anti-Semitism that it's been slow to deploy the righteous indignation it normally trades in with ease. As for the Tories, Bibi can do no wrong. Up popped Priti, 'quite frankly', her hands waving like fists – to agree that the situation is regrettable but these actions could be counterproductive ('Something, something, Iran'). Portraying Lammy as reckless for doing almost nothing was a difficult argument to sustain, but Labour MPs threw her a lifeline by shouting insults, allowing Priti to demand to be allowed to speak, long after they'd stopped interrupting and she'd run out of things to say. Lammy cried: 'Shameful!' Priti took her seat muttering: 'Shame on you!' A little later, Malthouse spoke for Rafah and 'begged' the Foreign Secretary to do more to save Palestinian children, 'though he knows as well as I do that the Israelis couldn't give a damn' what ministers say 'in this chamber'.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plans for thousands of homes in Rochford district 'insane'
An MP has said a leaked version of a council's local plan is "insane" and "cannot possibly be allowed to continue".Mark Francois said Rochford District Council's report, which is due to be made public in weeks, plans for 17,000 new homes in the authority said government policy required it to build "at least 689 new homes per year every year" and it was considering the "feasibility" of the numbers government has said it is committed to delivering 1.5 million new homes this Parliament. The BBC has seen part of the council's 'Local plan workshop: progress update' report of 22 April lists dozens of sites for new homes up to 2040 and beyond in the would be 1500 homes to the north of Southend as part of a new town development with 3500 built after report includes 24 locations in Rayleigh for 3,679 new homes to be built. The largest sites would be 730 homes at Wolsey Park and 600 at Lubards would be 1500 homes at Dollyman's Farm in Rawreth with a further 500 to be built after 2040. Hullbridge could have 1000 new homes built over the next decade, as could Great Wakering with 820 homes being considered at Tithe Park off Poynters Lane. "This draft plan, a copy of which I have now seen, is utterly unacceptable," said Rayleigh and Wickford Conservative MP Francois."With our local roads already maxed out, and hospitals full to bursting there is absolutely no way on earth our semi-rural district could possibly accommodate 17,000 new houses, including a new town on the Rochford-Southend border." Targets 'more than double' Rochford Council, which is Lib Dem-controlled, said: "Options are currently being tested for their impacts on the environment, transport network and other facilities and this evidence will be presented to councillors who will make a decision on the draft local plan in due course."The council did not comment on whether 17,000 new homes were being planned for the district. Local authorities are legally obliged to have a local plan for new housing and current local plan for Rochford dates back to 2011 and includes plans for 250 new homes a year in the government has reintroduced mandatory housing targets for local authorities and it has more than doubled for Rochford compared to its target a decade areas like Southend and Basildon need to build around 1,000 new homes every council said there would be two rounds of public consultation on new housing plans before they go to government to be approved. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Labour accused of ‘two-tier justice' in Northern Ireland
Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland Secretary, previously said the decision was taken by the Government as part of its 'absolute commitment to the Human Rights Act '. Mr Francois said: 'The treatment of veterans in the context of Northern Ireland's troubled legacy is not merely a legal or historical matter – it is a litmus test for the Government's broader commitment to the Armed Forces. 'By prioritising the interests of human rights lawyers – and figures like Gerry Adams – the Government risks alienating those it relies on to defend the nation.' Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, represented Mr Adams in the past while working as a private barrister. The minister insisted that his work was unconnected to the legislation paving the way for Mr Adams to claim compensation. The Attorney General has refused to disclose whether he advised the Government on its decision to repeal sections of the Legacy Act. The Northern Ireland Office has been contacted for comment. A chilling message to veterans who risked their lives By Mark Francois Over 300,000 British soldiers served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. For decades, under Operation Banner, these troops were deployed to one of the most politically complex and dangerous theatres in modern British history. Over 760 British soldiers lost their lives, and more than 6,000 were wounded, many with life-changing injuries, inflicted by both Republican and so-called Loyalist terrorists. Bombings, shootings, and ambushes not only scarred the soldiers, but also the communities they were sent to protect. Now, consider the reaction of those who served – including those still living with the physical and psychological scars of that conflict – to the news that the Government plans to repeal parts of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023. Shockingly, these changes could enable figures like Gerry Adams to sue the British taxpayer under the guise of 'upholding' the Human Rights Act. This decision sends a chilling message to the veterans who risked their lives to uphold the rule of law during one of the most difficult chapters in our nation's history. It undermines their sacrifices and prioritises the interests of those who were, in many cases, their adversaries in that mission. Adding insult to injury Adding insult to injury, the Government's actions reflect a growing detachment from the veterans' community. The downgrading of the veterans minister from a Cabinet position to a Parliamentary under-secretary of state – even one as distinguished as the current officeholder – is deeply concerning. This move can only be seen as a deliberate attempt to diminish the voice of veterans, particularly those from Operation Banner, at a time when their needs are being systematically ignored. The implications extend far beyond historical arguments. The British Army is already facing a recruitment and retention crisis, and these actions risk deepening the sense of disillusionment among serving personnel. Soldiers may quite rightly question whether this Government of human rights lawyers truly 'has their back'. Specifically, an order now going through Parliament, at the behest of Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland Secretary, would delete key parts of the Legacy Act 2023, which currently defends British soldiers who served in Northern Ireland from an endless cycle of investigation and re-investigation, often inspired by Sinn Fein. Even more appallingly, the same order, which Labour MPs have already voted in favour of once, in a preliminary committee, but which Conservatives opposed, would delete key clauses in the Act, which would enable Gerry Adams and some of his supporters to sue the British taxpayer. Despite solemn pledges from Sir Keir Starmer, at Prime Minister's Questions, that he would seek to prevent such an outcome, the order, as drafted, still contains these outrageous provisions. A litmus test over the Armed Forces This is an obvious case of two-tier justice: one for our Northern Ireland veterans (many of whom were recruited from Northern towns in England, in what we would today call Red Wall constituencies) and another for the likes of Gerry Adams and his cronies. How any self-respecting Labour MP could possibly vote for this – when it comes before the Commons in a few months' time – and then still look their constituents in the eye defies belief. The treatment of veterans in the context of Northern Ireland's troubled legacy is not merely a legal or historical matter – it is a litmus test for the Government's broader commitment to the Armed Forces. By prioritising the interests of human rights lawyers – and figures like Gerry Adams –the Government risks alienating those it relies on to defend the nation. It is perhaps little surprise therefore that on Friday, a group of veterans launched a parliamentary petition opposing Labour's two-tier justice – on one hand pursuing Northern Ireland veterans while seemingly supporting figures like Gerry Adams. If you also agree that we should defend those who defended us and upheld the rule of law, you can sign the petition below to show your support: In summary, if this Labour Government still presses ahead with these very ill-advised changes, it must remember one simple truth: a nation that forgets the past sacrifices of its soldiers risks losing the trust of those who would serve in the future.
