By Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter. 5.45pm Update: Expanding upon his earlier remarks, Jesse Norman appeared on The World At One, and described the reform proposals as "a constitutional monstrosity", saying the Bill "should never have reached the House of Commons": "Unfortunately the Conservative manifesto didn’t contain anything like the commitment that everyone’s pretending it […]
By Tim MontgomerieFollow Tim on Twitter A number of Tory MPs led by Damian Collins have come together to propose a new industrial strategy for Britain. Mr Collins explains how the approach recommended by him and his colleagues is different from the industrial strategy of the 1970s and also a mythical laissez-faire policy: "The industrial strategy […]
This week ConservativeHome's focus has been on Lords reform. Over the last three days pieces by Penny Mordaunt MP, Lord Dobbs and Lord Lamont have made the case against the Coalition's plans. Today, in the latest part of this continuing series, Laura Sandys writes in support of a largely elected Upper House. Laura is Conservative […]
Laura Sandys MP is the MP for Thanet South, and was a senior research associate at the Centre for Defence Studies at Kings College. Piracy, protectionism and tariff barriers are to global trade what credit crunches are to the banking system – both represent critical blows to economic stability and a threat to the UK’s […]
Laura Sandys is MP for South Thanet. The Government today announced that another 12 areas have been designated as Enterprise Zones. As one of the Government’s policy platforms for growth, it is crucial that those lucky enough to receive this imprimatur make the most of the opportunity. Six months ago, Sandwich in my East Kent constituency was […]
Laura Sandys is MP for South Thanet. Every pundit seems to be pushing pet ideas that will immediately unlock growth – some making more useful comments than others. But while individual measures – planning policy, enterprise zones, lower tax for small businesses – can all contribute to greater growth there are also some deeper realities […]
By Jonathan IsabyFollow Jonathan on Twitter I have already covered Conor Burns' sideswipe at Lord Heseltine from the debate on Lords reform, but what else happened during the debate? Overall, one got the impression that (with a few exceptions) the Conservative benches were highly sceptical about an elected second chamber – including many who are […]
Last night Laura Sandys, who won the Kent seat of Thanet South at the general election delivered her maiden speech in the Commons. At the start of Carers’ Week, she took the opportunity to highlight the importance of government supporting those who selflessly care for relatives: “Young, old, frail, healthy — carers are selfless family […]
Laura Sandys is the Member of Parliament for Thanet South. I was quite amazed at the coverage of the Queens Speech. The fourth estate had already decided long before it was delivered what the follow-up headlines were going to be – House of Lords reform and Tory infighting. And we were led to believe that […]