Easter 2026 Update
I am pleased to bring you my Easter 2026 Update. As ever, if you would like to sign up to my mailing list, you can do so on this page or by emailing [email protected].
Dear constituent,
In the run up to the Easter recess, the Government has been grappling with the economic impact of the conflict in Iran. The response, however, is yet another example of the Chancellor's financial mismanagement, with hardworking people expected to foot the bill once again.
It is disappointing that she and her colleagues are choosing to ignore calls from the Opposition to introduce sensible and meaningful measures that will help with the cost of living, and will instead continue to hammer families with new taxes and rising charges, and businesses with new regulations and red tape.
Moving away from Westminster, I have had a busy month of constituency engagements and advocating on behalf of residents. This includes continuing to press for clear answers around the closure of the front desk at Pinner Police Station, as well as working to establish a banking hub in Eastcote following NatWest's announcement that it would be shutting its Field End Road branch in May.
I endeavour to keep residents updated with my monthly newsletters, but those who would like to see what is going on in between, I encourage you to visit my website or Facebook page.
In the Constituency
London Marathon 2026: Fundraising for Michael Sobell
I will be lacing up my running shoes for my fourth London Marathon in April and this year, I am proud to be fundraising for Michael Sobell House in Northwood.
My recent visit to Michael Sobell was an opportunity to see first-hand the hard work and dedication of the team. Their support is invaluable to those living with serious or terminal illness, and their families, in Hillingdon and the surrounding areas.
I therefore encourage residents to check out my fundraising page - no matter how big or small, all contributions will be gratefully received and will help to support this valued local charity. To make a donation, please visit my page here.
Surgeries
I am grateful to the teams at the The Pinner Table on Marsh Road, Caffe Pascucci in Hatch End and Bucket List Coffee in Eastcote for being excellent surgery hosts this month.
If you would like to make an appointment to meet with me at a surgery, or are a business who would be interested in hosting, please get in touch via 0203 545 2462 or [email protected].
Pinner Police Station Front Desk Closure
Despite writing to the Mayor of London and raising the matter in Parliament, residents are no closer to understanding the decision to close the volunteer-run front desk at Pinner Police Station.
The response from City Hall was, as expected, incredibly disappointing. Instead of answering directly, the Mayor delegated the matter to his deputy, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, who sent a rather self-congratulatory letter - which can be read here - received by my office the day before the closure and which failed to address the concerns I had raised.
This pertains mostly to repair costs. Volunteers were told by the Met that it was unable to afford work totalling £600k that would enable the front desk to remain open and accessible to the public. However, there was no mention of this at all in the response from the Deputy Mayor.
I have now written to the Met Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, to seek answers to the questions that City Hall failed to address. I know that residents and volunteers would like to be able to understand this decision and deserve full transparency around it. My letter to Sir Mark can be read here.
NatWest Eastcote Closure
Residents are understandably concerned about NatWest's decision to close its Field End Road branch, which will leave Eastcote without a bank on its high street from May.
In February, I wrote to the Director of Public Policy at NatWest, Mike Crow, to raise resident concerns. The reply from the Executive Response team, which can be read here, appears to say a lot without saying very much at all. What I can deduce, however, is that the decision is final.
The closest NatWest branches will be in Harrow and Uxbridge, and if residents or businesses want to use a banking hub they will need to travel to West Drayton. These are not practical alternatives for everyone, which is why I am supporting local efforts to establish a banking hub in Eastcote.
To get the ball rolling, I met with local Post Office manager Jay and resident Catherine at my Eastcote surgery this month. We discussed the benefits of a banking hub in Eastcote for both residents and business owners, and how we can work together with the community to move this idea forward.
In terms of immediate next steps, I will be speaking with colleagues in Westminster who have lobbied for a banking hub - both successfully and unsuccessfully - to see what we can learn. I understand that Jay is already in discussions with Post Office colleagues, and I look forward to regrouping to discuss next steps over the coming weeks.
Shaftesbury High School
It was a pleasure to meet pupils from Shaftesbury High, a special needs school in Hatch End, this month.
This was following a number of letters I received from pupils on a variety of national issues, as well as some ideas for how we can improve the local area. Having responded to each letter individually, the visit was an opportunity to talk some more about the subject matters raised, including knife crime prevention, the environment, SEND provision and - one of the most popular requests - putting more swings in local parks.
I also visited ‘Coffee on the Quad’ – a great initiative that encourages sixth form students to gain invaluable skills, training and work experience they will need for the future. It was a thoroughly enjoyable visit, and I am grateful to all for their time.
Kol Chai Synagogue
I was pleased to be invited back to the Kol Chai Synagogue in Hatch End this month.
This was was an excellent opportunity to hear directly from members about what is concerning them and - hopefully - work to address those concerns. Interestingly, the general sense was that while they feel safe in Hatch End and the immediate community, the worry – understandably - is rooted in what is happening more widely, both across the country and globe. This is especially true in the context of protests, reports of foiled terror attacks on the Jewish community and, of course, the barbaric acts we tragically saw in Manchester and Bondi.
I was able to speak about my work with the APPG on British Jews in Parliament and what more can be done locally to foster greater relationships between different faith communities. I look forward to continued engagement.
Hillingdon Hospitals
This month, I caught up with Lesley Watts and Alan McGlennan from the Hillingdon Hospitals Trust.
It was our first meeting since the closure of the Urgent Care Centre at Mount Vernon last September. When asked how the service was operating at Hillingdon’s A&E, the response was that everything is going well and the right decision was made. Frankly, I hadn’t expected to hear anything different from Lesley and Alan, but I will continue to ensure that data is transparent and scrutinised.
I was also updated on the progress of the new Hillingdon Hospital. As enabling work is due to start imminently, the Trust is reviewing which services will need to be decanted to nearby hospitals. This will include Mount Vernon, which I appreciate may be difficult to reconcile with the decision to move a key service away from the site not so long ago. Nevertheless, and despite the initial delay following the election of the new Government, I am pleased to see progress being made on this long-awaited project.
Also on the agenda was the cancer centre consultation, which led to a wider discussion about the future of facilities at the Mount Vernon site. I know this has been a worry for residents, particularly since the closure of the Urgent Care Centre. I want to see its long-term future safeguarded, and I will press for this on behalf of residents.
Oorvi Desai London
It was a pleasure to meet with Oorvi Desai at her bridalwear boutique - Oorvi Desai London - on Field End Road, Eastcote.
Oorvi specialises in bespoke pieces that blend traditional Indian heritage with a contemporary British flair. I was impressed by the intricate and vibrant designs on display and wasn't at all surprised to learn how much work, care and attention goes into the entire process.
I was also interested to hear from Oorvi about some of the charitable initiatives she has been involved with, including causes supporting homeless women and children. This has also extended to international cultural platforms, where the creative industries are used to amplify social impact, compassion and inclusion.
This is a brilliant entrepreneurial story of a local business, and I am proud to represent an area with so many of these examples.
Waitrose Ruislip Relaunch
Residents may be aware that Waitrose in Ruislip has been undergoing refurbishment since the end of January and this month, I was glad to attend its relaunch. Here, I met with manager Ian, who explained a bit more about the upgrades that have been made to improve energy efficiency and offer more choice to customers.
At a time when we are seeing businesses of all sizes struggling under the pressure of new employment regulations and increased taxes, it is great to see this investment from the John Lewis Partnership in a much-valued part of the community here in Ruislip.
I know that residents will welcome this refurbishment and it will have benefits for the whole high street.
In Parliament
Prior to Easter, the Government has been busy attempting to force through legislation ahead of the upcoming end of this session. After Parliament is prorogued, progress on legislation that is not carried over to the new session is lost.
Immigration Reforms
I am proud to represent a genuinely diverse constituency. Over 100 different first languages are spoken across the Borough of Hillingdon, and a similar picture can be seen across the border in Harrow. Those who have relocated to the UK in recent years are naturally concerned when they hear discussions about immigration reforms and it is those reforms that we debated this month in Westminster.
The measures announced by the Home Secretary are, for the most part, sensible and closely mirror those effectively implemented in Denmark. Public confidence in the immigration system is considerably diminutive; therefore, the Government is justified in undertaking measures to reinforce trust in our system.
In my remarks during the debate, I outlined that the Conservative Party would work constructively with the Government to get this right. As we saw with the failed welfare reforms last year, there is a risk the Government will water these down and leave the UK's immigration system at risk of further exploitation.
The Labour backbenchers are packed with MPs who are trying to push for a greater liberalisation of our immigration system, a liberalisation that is fanciful and not grounded in reality. Some of my remarks can be viewed here.
Home Office Questions: Asylum Accommodation in Hillingdon
Hillingdon is facing exceptional financial pressure due to the Government’s failure to support asylum seekers. London has a long history of welcoming different groups of migrants who have made our great city their home, but the Government is undermining that generosity by shunting the cost of supporting asylum seekers onto taxpayers.
Since my time as a councillor, I have been acutely aware that, as a port of authority, Hillingdon faces exceptional challenges as large numbers of those claiming asylum arrive in the borough. While other councils may talk a good game, it is Hillingdon that is at the forefront of housing and supporting asylum seekers.
Figures from the Home Office show that there has been a 7% rise in the asylum and dispersal accommodation numbers. This is evident at the Civic Centre in Uxbridge, where many present themselves for support. This is putting huge pressure on council services.
This month, I pushed Ministers to provide councils with certainty by agreeing that the housing needs of local residents should be put ahead of those who are newly arrived and seeking asylum. You can view my question here.
Defence Questions: Procurement
There is a great deal of concern surrounding defence procurement in the UK. Since Labour took office, it has become apparent that the defence of the nation is not their priority.
The Defence Investment Plan was meant to have been published in Autumn 2025. Defence businesses, large and small, have been raising their concerns about the lack of a plan for defence investment despite the Government’s promises. The failure of the Government to publish its strategy means that we are losing ground in the race to sure up our defences. It also means that our support for Ukraine and our position as a global power is vulnerable.
During Defence Questions this month, I raised the case of CapnoTrainer, owned by one of my constituents, which is already supporting the work of the Royal Navy. The Minister outlined the work he is doing to support SMEs in the defence sector, and I look forward to meeting him to discuss this matter further. You can watch my question here.
Also in Parliament this month...
- I showed my support for World Book Day 2026. We are fortunate to have a number of excellent local libraries across Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, enabling children and young adults to access books and find the fun in reading.
- In aid of Brain Tumour Awareness month, I pledged to improve outcomes for everyone affected by brain tumours. Sadly, this includes families in the constituency, and so I recognise the need for more to be done to improve survival and quality of life for those impacted.
- I joined Conservative colleagues to urge the Mayor of London against introducing a 'holiday tax' in the capital. With the hospitality sector already suffering, the last thing it needs is a new levy that would price visitors out, reduce spend in our local communities and put jobs at risk. Read the letter here.
- I supported the Home Secretary in his pursuit of answers from both the Government and Mayor of London about the operation of grooming gangs in the capital - something Sadiq Khan had previously rejected, but is contrary to recent reports by the BBC. Read the letter here.
Shadow Ministerial Update
As the local elections draw near, considerable attention has rightly been directed towards the efforts undertaken by local authorities nationwide. We are privileged to have two efficiently managed local councils; however, neither has remained unaffected by the substantial financial challenges confronting local authorities across the country.
Local Government Reorganisation Delays
My constituents will be aware that the Government is pressing ahead with a top-down approach to devolution. While this doesn’t affect London boroughs, it will have a profound effect on residents across the country.
The feeble attempts to reorganise local government have, so far, done nothing but cost money and cause uncertainty for local council leaders and residents. It became apparent this month that the Government was preparing to unveil further devolution plans following its botched cancellation of this year’s local elections.
Towards the end of March, journalists began reporting on government decisions before MPs had been informed of the changes coming. It is fast becoming a trait of this Government to ignore an essential part of parliamentary convention whereby MPs are informed of key decisions first so that they can be scrutinised and challenged. Without it, ministers are essentially bypassing one of the key mechanisms in which they make themselves accountable to Parliament.
Therefore, I raised this via a Point of Order in the Chamber this month, which can be viewed here. The following day, Sir James Cleverly secured an Urgent Question that forced Ministers to come before the house.
It is evident that the Government is seeking to obscure the process as much as possible as they know their plans are deeply unpopular.
Electoral Changes
At the beginning of the month, the Government introduced the Representation of the People Bill. Chief among measures in this legislation is lowering the voting age to 16, and the Bill as a whole is clearly designed to give the governing party a narrow party-political advantage at a time when the public is deeply dissatisfied with them.
The Conservative Party has always sought to strengthen democracy in the UK. In the last parliament, the Conservative Government introduced tighter measures, including the necessity of ID cards to vote and stricter rules on international donations. Unfortunately, this legislation will not meaningfully protect polling stations because it does not address the concerning reports of family voting during the most recent by-election in Greater Manchester.
Speaking during the debate on behalf of the Opposition, I built on Sir James Cleverley's excellent opening speech, which highlighted inconsistencies in Government policy. You can view more here.
Since then, I have been regularly scrutinising the Bill as I am serving on its committee. During proceedings, the Conservative Party has tabled a series of amendments to strengthen the legislation, including provisions to prevent family voting and an instruction that campaign literature be published only in a UK language.
It seems apparent that the Government is looking to rush this legislation through Parliament ahead of the local elections. This means that the role of the Opposition will be more critical than ever as we seek to strengthen our democratic safeguards.
Community Cohesion
This month, I was involved in a Westminster Hall Debate hosted by the MP for Rugby, John Slinger. I was delighted to be the opposition frontbencher responding for the Conservatives.
During this debate, I outlined some of the challenges I believed our communities face. Namely, how our bonds of community are being fractured by an increasingly polarised community, accelerated by new technology and new ideas.
It is incumbent on us in our community to work together to strengthen these bonds. You can watch some of my contribution to the debate here.
As ever, my office is on-hand to support those who need it. If you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Lastly, I wish residents a very Happy Easter.
Kind regards,
David
