Political opinion with Mims Davies MP: A deeply worrying time

Writing this column on a beautiful spring day the unfolding events in Iran and the wider Middle East could feel half a world away. However, in this globally interconnected world of course nothing could be further than the truth. 200,000 British citizens are estimated to live and work in the region and many people in our own community will have family serving in the British Military Bases of Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Cyprus which has seen drone attacks from Iran.

This is a deeply worrying time and Parliament hears today from the Prime Minister on the British Government’s response up in Westminster.

Any British national currently overseas or stranded unexpectedly needs to register their presence via the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office website and the latest advice will be communicated directly. This may include information on how to travel out of the region including any repatriation flights if these are organised.

I am particularly concerned for the family and friends of Craig and Lindsay Foreman who are currently arbitrarily detained in Iran, and I am working with Parliamentary colleagues to see them released – we continue to think of their family and friends who are worried sick.

The Middle East turmoil may too impact on continuing cost of living pressures for struggling households and our local businesses. Already the oil price has spiked and if this continues, we will see its impact in all aspects of our economy.

I was disappointed and not surprised to see yet more plummeting business confidence in respected national surveys as business lose confidence in the Labour Government and its handling of the economy. We are seeing this with growing unemployment and weak economic growth.

All of this forms a backdrop for the Chancellor’s Spring Statement on Tuesday 3rd March which I’ll feedback more next week.

Every week I hear from local businesses - which power our local economy - how Government policies like business rate and national insurance hikes are hitting them hard.

It was a relief to see local Conservatives on Mid Sussex District Council force a u-turn securing the removal of evening parking charges in East Grinstead that led rightly to wider changes too for the district- vital for all our towns. Readers may remember widespread concerns and my own deep opposition to it. Nevertheless, the Lib Dem council introduced it only last April. Businesses have reported to me drops in footfall and our Wealden towns with free parking getting the benefit. So pleased this will be removed- it’s most welcome.

Longer term we need local investment – last week I spoke about digital connectivity – but physical connectivity is vital too. I brought Shadow Secretary of State for Transport to join my campaign to improve the Uckfield railway line, more and reliable trains for East Grinstead and tackling the scourge of potholes.

We need electrification and serious upgrades if our area can cope with Gatwick and the more homes because of Labour’s national target of 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament.