Mike Weatherley MP

Mike has condemned the Green administration for encouraging people to squat in the homes of his constituents.

Mike recently wrote to John Barradell, Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council, over the Council’s behaviour in promoting squatting in the city. Over the last few months, Mike has been contacted by a number of residents who were shocked at the advice that they had been given by the Council whilst looking for accommodation.

Commenting, Mike said: “It is completely outrageous that Brighton & Hove City Council are telling families in some cases that they should either squat of face sleeping on the streets. Given that I am working hard in Parliament to have squatting criminalised, it is a complete step backwards that our local authority is sending this kind of message. It is another crazy Green experiment on the people of Brighton & Hove.”

Mike has labeled the response to his concerns over the astronomical parking rises a complete farce.

Having recently written to John Barradell, Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council, to raise his concerns about the Green administration’s quest to make the city the most expensive place to park in the world, Mike was dismayed at the response that he received.

Officials from the Council suggested that tourists could move their cars a number of times in order to get a ‘discounted’ rate. However, rather than enjoy the many attractions that Brighton & Hove have to offer, visitors will instead have to constantly worry about getting a fine.

Commenting, Mike said: “I raised some very real concerns that I have received from B&B owners who are worried that their businesses will be affected. I was lost for words when I read the response that quite seriously suggested that tourists engage in a game of musical cars where if you miss out you end up with a £50 fine. This latest madcap Green experiment on the people of Brighton & Hove, and their visitors, really is toxic.”

Mike Weatherley, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Hove and Portslade, along with conservationist and TV personality Bill Oddie, is continuing his support against a proposed badger cull.

Bill Oddie and Members of Parliament from all parties have shown their support for a formal complaint to the Bern Convention against the proposed badger cull. The complaint has been submitted by animal protection charity Humane Society International UK. Since his election, Mike has consistently voted in favour of animal rights and has supported a number of campaigns for better treatment of animals in the UK.

Commenting, Mike said: “Animal welfare is an important issue which requires support from lawmakers. I am on public record against any repeal of the Hunting Act and have worked with a number of animal rights charities to help change attitudes towards better care and respect for animals.”

Mike has tabled Early Day Motion 2853 which congratulates the Old London Underground Company for its efforts to open up London’s ghost stations to the public.

Founded by budding entrepreneur Ajit Chambers, The Old London Underground Company is working with Transport for London and the Ministry of Defence on proposals to open up for the first time some of London’s abandoned Underground stations. For more information, please see www.theoldlondonundergroundcompany.com.

Commenting, Mike said: “The London Underground network has played a important role in our nation’s history. A number of stations have been abandoned over the years and have remained completely untouched. I think that is a wonderful idea to open some of them up to the public which is why I tabled the Early Day Motion. I look forward to taking a trip to see some this unique preserved history.”

Early Day Motion 2853 – London’s Ghost Stations

That this House congratulates the Old London Underground Company on its efforts in opening up London’s ghost stations and deep level shelters to the public as a viable enterprise following HM Treasury’s Wider Markets Initiative; recognises that the Old London Underground Company requests assistance from Transport for London to include international press in the site visit forhon. Members and Lords to visit a ghost station site; and supports Ajit Chambers with the next stage of this exciting opportunity for outside investment in the leisure and tourism sector.

Mike has written to George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, over proposals for listed buildings work to be subject to VAT.

In his letter, Mike said: “Brighton & Hove has 1,218 listed buildings, which means that it has one of the highest concentrations of buildings of special architectural or historic interest in the South East. Not only will this legislative change impact on Brighton & Hove’s famed Georgian, Regency and Italianate architecture, it will hit conservation charities and churches across the country. Many of these organisations have already contacted me to highlight their deep concerns about the unexpected tax implications which may undermine the financial viability of countless renovations.”

Mike concluded, “I strongly urge you to reconsider the proposed removal of the VAT exemption to listed buildings as a matter of urgency.”

Commenting, Mike said: “Brighton & Hove is blessed with a unique architectural heritage that we must protect. Along with many residents, I was not happy with the proposed changes to VAT rules for listed buildings so have written to my colleague George Osborne urging him to reconsider the matter.”

Mike has announced his backing of the latest innovative campaign from The Argus – Park the Charges – which calls on Brighton & Hove City Council’s Green administration to reverse their astronomical parking charges.

Following a move by Brighton & Hove City Council, led by the Green Party, to increase parking charges to £20 for visitors to our iconic city, The Argus has launched a campaign to bring back fair prices. Like the letters page of The Argus, Mike has received a deluge of letters from residents and business owners who are concerned about the damage that the increased charges will have on our local economy.

Commenting, Mike said: “The Argus has again sensibly started a campaign against the latest Green attempt to use Brighton & Hove as a laboratory for their mad-cap experiments. The campaign rightly points out that the ludicrous parking charges will penalise residents and tourists and massively damage local businesses. Once again, these Greens are making us a national laughing stock.”

Mike has been given a safety tour of cycling facilities in the city.

Mike is grateful to Becky Reynolds from Bricycles, the Brighton & Hove Cycling Group, for giving him a cycling tour of Brighton & Hove. Mike and Becky discussed a number of safety issues facing cyclists, including the hazards that riders face along the seafront, an issue which Mike has previously raised with John Barradell, Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council. They also discussed some of the positive changes that allow cyclists to ride up some one-way streets. For more information on Bricycles, please see www.bricycles.org.uk.

Commenting, Mike said: “It was great to ride around and see what Becky had to say about what could be improved for cyclists in Brighton & Hove. I ride my bike a lot around the constituency, so really do appreciate that there is much that can be done to improve safety for cyclists. I will continue to put pressure on the Council and discuss the issues with my colleagues in Parliament.”

Mike has nominated Touch of India on Boundary Road, Hove, for the Tiffin Cup 2012.

The Tiffin Cup is awarded every year by the Tiffin Club of MPs, which was formed in 2006 by a group of curry-loving Members of Parliament including Michael Fabricant and Keith Vaz. The aim of the competition is not only to applaud the quality of South Asian food in Britain, but also to raise money for charity. This year, the competition is being held in aid of the charity World Vision. Restaurants that make it through to the Grand Final will have the opportunity to cook in Parliament on 27th June.

Commenting, Mike said: “Last year Ganges Brasserie made it to the grand final so Touch of India has a tough act to follow. It is for a great cause this year and I am confident though that they will do well in representing Hove. I wish them the best of luck.”

Mike has condemned the ‘Smash EDO’ protest that organisers plan to hold over the Queen’s Jubilee weekend.

Mike is furious that ‘Smash EDO’, which is backed by top members of the Green Party, are attempting to disrupt the national celebrations and cause chaos to the residents of Brighton & Hove. Businesses across the city are fed up with protests like this scaring away shoppers on potentially very busy days for trade. A number of business owners have contacted Mike to voice their concerns amidst the current difficult economic climate.

Commenting, Mike said: “It’s disgraceful that as the nation is celebrating the Queen’s diamond jubilee, a group of misguided radicals wish to disrupt the day for everyone else. These selfish individuals need to open their eyes and watch for the annoyance that their protests are causing the residents and businesses of our city.”

Mike has welcomed news that the number of apprenticeships in Hove is up by nearly 10% on the previous year.

Earlier in the week, Mike asked the Minister for Further Education, Skills & Lifelong Learning, John Hayes MP, for Government figures on apprenticeships around the country. The minister reported that: “For the academic year 2010-11, final data for young people aged under 19 show that there were 110 apprenticeship starts in Hove constituency, which is an increase of 8% on the 2009-10 figure.”

Commenting, Mike said: “These figures are a great indication that young people are getting valuable employment that they need. Combined with falling unemployment figures, this is a positive development in helping people get jobs and contributing towards our economic recovery.”