Back in 2007, Mark tabled a Westminster Hall debate calling upon the last government to give serious consideration to the idea of a new airport for London in the Thames Estuary. Today, it has been revealed that the coalition government is likely soon to launch a formal consultation on such an option. Mark's 2007 speech is therefore copied below as a reminder of the arguments in favour of this airport being built: Since the beginning of the millennium the government has been dithering over the pressing need for expanding airport capacity in Britain. We have seen White Papers, judicial reviews, announcements, retractions, consultations…And the conclusion?...

The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act, which gained Royal Assent earlier this year, will prohibit people from camping in gardens and pavement in the middle of Parliament Square. While I fully support the important right to protest, removing this long standing camp will make it possible for other people to use the Square for recreation and protest. Westminster City Council is proposing additional action to deal with encampments in the area around parliament. The Act covers the central island in the Square but to...

Mark was asked to write for PoliticsHome about the political challenges represented by the St Paul's encampment in the constituency. The following was posted on their site this morning: When the Occupy London movement descended on the City of London, it was perhaps naïve not to fear that the 5000 protestors might leave behind a core of campers. After all, bedding down for one’s beliefs is now de rigeur. That the campsite of choice was in the shadow of the iconic and glorious St Paul’s ...

Westminster City Council is set to abolish free parking on single yellow lines and in bays in the West End between 6.30pm and midnight from Monday to Saturday and 1pm and 6pm on Sundays. The Council advises that this decision has been made in order to ease congestion in W1. I am aware that these planned parking restrictions are causing an enormous amount of anxiety amongst constituents. I have received letters and emails from residents and businesspeople alike who have expressed concern about women’s safety...

Last Monday I helped launch an exhibition in the House of Commons to celebrate St Mungo’s fortieth anniversary and their latest project, Street Stories. St Mungo’s runs emergency homelessness services in London, providing shelters for people in need of a safe place to sleep, outreach teams to connect with the vulnerable and support services to help get the homeless back on their feet. The Street Stories exhibition displays the testimonies of forty-one St Mungo’s clients who were asked to contribute to an oral history of homeless...