Monday began with a visit to the excellent local business, Pentland with representatives from the Taiwanese Embassy (a major export market for the Company and springboard for the Far East). Later that week, I met with concerned constituents regarding the proposed Mansion Tax which would cause many residents to sell their family homes .
On Tuesday, I chaired a meeting of London Conservative MPs with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe. We discussed the Met’s plans for policing across London now that money had been redirected from supporting bricks & mortar to recruiting more police offices.
That evening, I had the pleasure of attending the Guildhall to speak at a dinner to raise funds for the excellent charity, Emunah, who provide residential homes for thousands of vulnerable children.
Wednesday saw another successful ‘Meet Your Street’ event. This time, residents of Cricklewood attended for a chance to meet their neighbours before a tour of the Commons.
I held another meeting regarding the Mansion Tax with campaigners who are launching a national campaign against the Family Homes Tax as the proposed tax should be called. The campaign was covered by the Daily Mail and can be found here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2853524/Fatal-flaws-mansion-tax-Labour-plan-kill-house-sales-trigger-2-billion-slump-stamp-duty-damning-report-reveals.html
Friday saw private member’s bills being debated in the Commons. I attended to vote to enshrine the 0.7% of GDP international aid target into law. The Bill proposed by Michael Moore MP, now continues on its way through Parliament. I will be monitoring this issue closely. I then returned to Finchley to attend Moss Hall Infant School to meet the runner up in my Christmas Card Competition.
I had another busy weekend, supporting Small Business Saturday, shopping in local shops. I also attended the fantastic East Finchley Festival as well as the Brooklands Junior School Winter Fair.