Dover and Deal Conservatives

30/10/2026

🌿 You can’t replace nature once you’ve destroyed it.

The Government has today approved National Grid’s controversial Sea Link project, despite serious concerns about the damage it could cause to one of East Kent’s most precious natural landscapes.

Minster Marshes is a haven for wildlife, not an industrial wasteland waiting to happen.

Yet we’re now facing enormous infrastructure, pylons, a converter station up to 28 metres high and the threat of irreversible damage to precious habitats.

All in the name of progress. But at what cost?

We need secure, cleaner energy. But the Government has acknowledged environmental harm and decided the benefits outweigh it. I fundamentally disagree with sacrificing our natural heritage in this way.

A huge thank you to Sir Roger Gale MP, the incredible Save Minster Marshes campaigners and every resident who has fought tirelessly to protect this beautiful part of Kent.

You have done us proud.

A Government signature doesn’t make environmental destruction acceptable.

There is a legal route to challenge decisions like this through judicial review, and I believe every potential ground for challenge should now be urgently examined.

National Grid must also now be held accountable for every environmental promise, every safeguard and every lasting consequence.

The decision has been made. But the fight isn’t over. 🌿

Read the Government’s decision here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sea-link-development-consent-decision-announced

Support Save Minster Marshes:
https://www.minstermarshes.com/

28/10/2026

24/10/2026

Join the Conservative Party and HELP BUILD A COUNTRY THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE.

30/09/2026

🚨 MY PARKING MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

A big result at Dover District Council tonight.

Our petition signed by 1,901 validated residents, councillors unanimously backed my motion to send the Parking Strategy to Overview & Scrutiny for a full evidence-led review.

That means we can now properly examine:

👉 parking income and usage
👉 the 3-hour limits
👉 maximum-stay restrictions across the district
👉 the impact on residents, visitors and businesses
👉 whether changes should now be recommended to Cabinet

What makes tonight particularly significant is that despite the petition itself not having the backing of Sandwich Town Council, the strength of feeling from residents and business won through.

1,901 residents made sure this could not simply be brushed aside, along with the many local businesses who displayed posters, shared their experiences and backed the call for another look.

Huge thanks to everyone for signing the petition and to Harry Sampson for speaking on behalf of residents and businesses tonight.

This isn’t the end of the process.

Now we get the evidence on the table and properly scrutinise whether this Parking Strategy is working for our towns.

I’ll keep you updated.

23/09/2026

26/08/2026

Your Conservative Councillors, standing up for residents and businesses.

🚨 We said keep free car parks FREE. Now Council officers agree.

This is a major win for residents, local businesses and common sense.

When charging at Dover District’s free car parks was put on the table, Conservative councillors fought it.

Now, after a full review, council officers are recommending that the Council continues funding them and does NOT introduce parking charges.

And the figures tell you why.

👉 Direct maintenance costs are only around £700 per car park, per year.

👉 Officers say introducing charges could actually cost more than the income they generate in some areas.

👉 Charging risks damaging local businesses.

👉 And it could simply push cars onto already busy residential streets.

We argued from the start that charging people to use these community car parks made no sense.

Residents spoke up. We kept pushing. The evidence backs us.

We won’t take anything for granted…Cabinet still has to approve the recommendation on 7 September!

This adds serious weight to what we’ve been saying all along:

KEEP OUR FREE CAR PARKS EXACTLY THAT, FREE!! 🚗✅

19/08/2026

Local Conservative councillors doing what local councillors do best - standing up for the places they represent 👍

10/08/2026

1,901 valid signatures. It’s going to Full Council!

We’ve now had confirmation from Dover District Council that, after checking the petition and removing any signatures from outside the district, 1,901 signatures have been accepted as valid.

That means the petition has passed the 1,600 signature threshold and will now be formally discussed at Full Council on Wednesday 30 September at 6pm.

That’s a big step.

The petition is asking the Council to review the current parking charges, restrictions and maximum stay limits across the district, including the three-hour limit at Guildhall Car Park in Sandwich.

Harry Sampson is the official petition organiser, which means he will have up to 10 minutes to address the whole Council before councillors discuss what happens next.

Harry wants to make sure those 10 minutes aren’t just about figures and statistics. He wants to be able to give real examples of how the changes are affecting people.

So if you’ve been affected, please get in touch with him.

Maybe you’ve stopped coming into town as often because of the charges.

Maybe the three-hour limit has caused you problems.

Maybe you run a business and have noticed customers changing their habits.

Maybe you work locally and parking is costing you more.

Or perhaps you’ve been affected by changes elsewhere in the district.

Whatever your experience, Harry would really like to hear it so he can put some of those real-life examples directly in front of councillors.

📧 [email protected]

Nearly 2,000 local people have already signed this petition.

Now we have the chance to make sure the Council hears exactly why.

Please share this, particularly with anyone who signed the petition or has been affected by the parking changes.