Craig Mackinlay MP: Brexit, Port Ramsgate, high street cash and stroke services

Craig Mackinlay

This is likely to be a week of ‘lull’ before the Brexit storm lands in Parliament again next week, with three days of debate and votes planned. As ever in this fast-moving drama, all is subject to last minute change.

Canvassing for the local elections on 2nd May across Thanet has commenced in earnest and it has been good to be back on the streets speaking to residents; always the best way to really gauge the public mood on issues. It is clear the majority of local people do not want this half-in, half-out Brexit deal, that we must leave on 29th March as promised, and if that means a managed ‘no deal’ under WTO terms then so be it.

The issue of Port Ramsgate continues to receive local and national media attention. In some ways, with the likelihood of Seaborne or others coming to Ramsgate now vanishingly small, despite government support, this is an opportunity to bring closure to this long-running saga despite aspirations across many Thanet District Council administrations. It cannot be said that all have not tried. I was pleased to note the 2019/20 budget passed by the Council reflecting this reality with a commitment for a feasibility study as to the way forwards.

We have a unique asset of 32 acres of prime waterfront land that other areas would regard as a gold-plated gift for positive regeneration. I would recommend we get together as a community and look to a new future that would benefit the area, it is something I’ve been encouraging for four years.

 As the national Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Civic Societies, I was pleased to lead an event in Parliament to further the discussion on the future of our High Streets, and how changing purchasing habits, with a rapid rise in internet shopping, means that the traditional view of High Streets as simply a place to shop will not hold into the future.

They must be attractive places to visit and enjoy as a leisure activity as well if they are to have a future, and I’m pleased to see that Thanet District Council will be putting in a bid for their share of the £675 million Future High Street Fund.

 With the transfer of stroke services to the William Harvey hospital, Ashford coming out as the preferred option under the review, this has understandably caused alarm amongst Thanet residents. I have had numerous meetings with the clinical professionals and campaigners and can agree the need for Hyper Acute Stroke Units, particularly as the six-unit configuration we currently have across Kent has poor ratings compared to the rest of the country.

The question to be properly answered is ‘where should they be?’ I have launched a Parliamentary petition which I will present in the Chamber which asks for the decision to be reviewed by the Secretary of State for Health, to make sure the recommendation is sound, and whether the third HASU (or fourth) would not be best at the QEQM because of geography and time. Details on social media and my website. Do take part so that your voice is heard.

7 Comments

  1. “I have launched a Parliamentary petition which I will present in the Chamber which asks for the decision to be reviewed by the Secretary of State for Health, to make sure the recommendation is sound, and whether the third HASU (or fourth) would not be best at the QEQM because of geography and time. Details on social media and my website. Do take part so that your voice is heard.”
    Brilliant! That’ll improve your track record of speaking about QEQM and Stroke Services considerably. You haven’t, to date, said one word in the House of Commons about these services, vital to your constituents.

  2. How can Craig Mackinley spout about our towns improving and leisure facilities on the seafront when he supports Riveroak bringing in 24/7 flights ? He also states he is into enviromental concerns, how can you be interested in the enviroment and clean air when you support Ramsgate being overflown by large planes carrying goods and landing , being off loaded and put aboard hundreds of vehicles to carry them from Thanet. What about the road traffic increase ?to near an election to sit back and hope for the best.

  3. Craig your support is woefully too late and as a member of Civic Communities you of all people should know the blight you are trying to promote for the 40,000 residents of Ramsgate you think is ok to experience the noise of cargo planes over our heads at 400 feet day and night every 5 minutes. All I see you doing is trying to ruin our historic town through your relentless support of RSP. A company with no UK money behind it, no history of aviation commercial success, no credible business plan and a DCO application full of spin. The laughable jobs figure is about as credible as the NHS Brexit bus.

  4. What’s that, a Conservstive MP supporting a business with no experience, no plan and no money, come on that couldn’t happen could it ? Best check this with Chris Grayling, he’s the expert at taking us for mugs. I wonder when we’ll find out what it is he has on Mrs.May, she tells us she has every confidence in him??

  5. Sounds too much like ‘say one thing while doing the opposite’. Our two MP’s need to be gone or retired off to allow fresh blood in who will actually care about Thanet rather than want to destroy it environmentally and kill anyone off who has the misfortune of having a stroke. Will A&E be on the cards next? start cutting back with essential services and all else starts collapsing too!

  6. Craig, I’d be delighted if you knocked on my door. I would love to hear how you think a no deal Brexit on WTO terms will enrich the lives of your constituents. You are either venal or stupid. Probably both.

  7. Why are TDC and our local MP’s so concerned with reviving Thanet’s and Ramsgate’s industrial past? The Port is obsolete and would require levels of investment that nobody seems to want to give! Same with the airport at manston . Why don’t we concentrate on making Ramsgate and Thanet a pleasant place for day trippers, weekend tourists and locals alike? Regenerate the High Street, regenerate Addington as Hastings has successfully done with it’s old town, make the port a pleasure destination and stop trying to turn back the clock to some industrial past for Ramsgate and Thanet. Let’s make Thanet even more beautiful and a real jewel in Kents crown!

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