Helen Grant OBE MP

To stay up to date with my local work in and around Maidstone & Malling, please follow me on Facebook: facebook.com/share/1XtKv5mQf…

I am delighted that David Thompson has been selected as our Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Maidstone & Malling and, I hope, my successor as the Member of Parliament for this wonderful constituency. He has the work ethic, integrity and Conservative values needed to continue standing up for local people and addressing the issues that matter most to residents, including excessive housebuilding, illegal immigration and ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with development. My own selection in 2008 gave me valuable time to prepare for the responsibilities of parliamentary and constituency life, and it is only right and fair that David has the same opportunity. I will give him my full support as he engages on the campaign trail with the people, businesses, organisations and community groups that make #Maidstone and #Malling such a special place. Being the Member of Parliament since 2010 has been the honour of my life. I remain fully committed to serving my constituents until I leave office and look forward to supporting David as he builds on everything we have achieved together over the years. @Conservatives @KentTories

Today at PMQs, @KemiBadenoch focused on energy security following today’s announcement that the Government has approved drilling at the Jackdaw gas field, first approved by the Conservative Government in 2022. Notwithstanding today’s good news, even further drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea will reduce bills and allow us to benefit from our domestic natural resources, rather than depend on foreign imports that are both less environmentally friendly and in shorter supply given Putin’s barbaric aggression in Ukraine, pushing up prices for everyday Britons. Kemi also quizzed the Prime Minister on the crucial issue of the cost of borrowing. The UK currently spends more on debt interest payments than it does on schools, the police and the Army combined. This is prohibiting economic growth, contributing to rising inflation, and limiting investment in our public services. However, the Prime Minister once again failed to commit to taking the difficult decisions that our country needs. Only the @Conservatives have a plan to cut welfare spending, reduce borrowing, and get Britain working again. The alternative is more debt and higher taxes under Labour. You can read more about this here: conservatives.com/our-plan-f…

Today, in his first speech as Shadow Chancellor, Andrew Griffith outlined our Party’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and the importance of reducing public spending. He highlighted the urgent need to tackle the ballooning welfare bill in order to cut the deficit and create the scope for tax cuts. Andrew has more private-sector experience than the entire Labour Cabinet and powerfully called on the Chancellor not to raise taxes in next month’s Budget. Andrew also rightly referred to the self-employed and those who run small businesses as heroes. These are the people who are up at dawn, work all week and take risks, only to spend a Sunday night doing the rota, invoices or admin. In the current economic climate of high taxes and sluggish growth, we must champion our small businesses and the entrepreneurs who keep our economy moving. Andrew also committed to reducing red tape, including repealing Angela Rayner’s Employment Rights Act, which he argues costs businesses £5 billion and forces private firms to host union organisers in the workplace. The next Conservative Government will reform IR35 rules to simplify the tax system for the self-employed, scrap business rates for thousands of high-street businesses, and remove the Family Business Tax to support the makers and risk-takers who drive economic growth.

I am delighted that the Speaker of the House of Commons has confirmed that this portrait of Ann Widdecombe will be on show in Parliament, following her tragic death earlier this year. For two decades, Ann represented Maidstone and the wider Kent community with dedication and determination. She was a tireless champion for her constituents, leaving a lasting legacy in the community she served and an indelible mark on our national political life. I hope this portrait is the start of a lasting tribute to Ann, with work now underway to explore a more permanent commemoration on the Parliamentary estate. The photograph was taken by Nick Ray in 2010 as part of a project commissioned by the Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art to add portraits of notable parliamentarians to the Parliamentary Art Collection. It was photographed in Cloister Corridor within the Palace of Westminster.

It was a privilege to attend Mencap's Parliamentary Reception as the charity celebrates its 80th anniversary, and to reflect on the incredible progress made for those with learning disabilities in Britain. As President of Maidstone Mencap, I have seen first hand the vital work that the charity does locally in providing crucial support for those with learning disabilities, and the wider community. The event marked Learning Disability Week, with this year's theme of Do You See Me' highlighting the importance of recognising and valuing the 1.5 million people in the United Kingdom with learning disabilities. It was a reminder that many still face challenges to be seen, heard and included, and that sustained action is needed to address this. The reception provided a valuable opportunity to hear directly from campaigners about their lived experiences, the barriers they face, and the changes that would make the greatest difference. These conversations reinforced the importance of collaboration and genuine partnership between policymakers and the learning disability community. Thank you to everyone at Mencap, and to the campaigners and advocates who attended the reception, for your openness, insight and commitment to driving meaningful change.

Recently, I had the privilege of attending the British Red Cross reception at Parliament, and learning about the vital work the organisation carries out to support communities at times of crisis, both at home and abroad. It was inspiring to learn more about the volunteers and staff who responded to the devasting attack on the Jewish community in Manchester last October and supported vulnerable people in the aftermath. It was also enlightening to speak to representatives about their campaign to strengthen planning guidance so that all new homes are suitably protected from the threat of flooding, as the government continues to push forward with unsuitable housing development. The organisation is also a key part of our unwavering support of Ukraine, and continues to promote humanitarian interests across the globe. I thoroughly enjoyed this important discussion, and I shall continue to do anything I can to support their work.

It was a privilege to attend the recent event in Parliament hosted by the 1001 Critical Days Foundation and to sign its Declaration affirming that every baby should experience the best start in life. I was pleased to speak with @willquince about the Foundation’s important work highlighting the significance of the first 1,001 days of the life of a baby. This period is vital for long-term development and wellbeing, and the 1001 Critical Days Foundation is helping shape national understanding, particularly on paternal mental health. The Government should act on the Foundation’s recommendations by including fathers in specialist perinatal services, introducing national monitoring of paternal suicide, strengthening outreach in deprived communities, and improving routine screening and support for both parents. To learn more, visit: 1001criticaldays.com/

MEDIA RELEASE 19-07-26 OFFICE OF HELEN GRANT OBE MP HELEN GRANT TO STAND DOWN AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION The statement below was originally scheduled for release on the evening of Friday 10 July, following Helen Grant’s Conservative Association AGM. In light of the tragic and shocking events surrounding the announcement of the death of Ann Widdecombe earlier that day, publication was paused as a mark of respect. West Malling, Kent, Friday 10 July 2026: At this evening’s Annual General Meeting of the Maidstone & Malling Conservative Association, Helen Grant OBE MP confirmed that she will stand down as Member of Parliament for Maidstone & Malling at the next general election, which is expected in 2029. Mrs Grant noted that by the time of that election she will have served in Parliament for nineteen years. She was first elected as MP for Maidstone & The Weald in 2010, and in 2024 became the MP for the newly‑drawn constituency of Maidstone & Malling following boundary changes. She described representing both constituencies as “the greatest privilege of my professional life” and expressed her pride in what has been achieved in partnership with local members and constituents. She explained that, while she remains well and is thankfully free of cancer following major surgery and treatment in 2023–24, the illness has reinforced her view that now is the right moment to start to pass the baton. Mrs Grant’s selection in January 2008 allowed her almost two and a half years to settle into the role after Ann Widdecombe confirmed in October 2007 that she would be stepping down. She now wishes to ensure that her successor has a similar period in which to build their profile within the constituency. Mrs Grant confirmed that she has discussed her decision with her Party Leader, @KemiBadenoch, and to advise her that she also intends to step down from her role as Shadow Solicitor General at the next reshuffle. She thanked Mrs Badenoch for her outstanding leadership and friendship during “one of the most fulfilling periods” of her parliamentary career. Mrs Grant emphasised that she will continue to serve the constituency and the Association fully until the general election and will give her complete support to the candidate selected to succeed her. She expressed deep gratitude to members of both Maidstone & The Weald and Maidstone & Malling @Conservatives Associations for their support across five general elections and said that representing the community had been “a huge honour”. She added that Kent holds “a special place in my heart, and in Simon’s, which we shall both cherish forever.” ENDS Photo: Members of Maidstone & Malling Conservative Association following their AGM on 10-07-26

I’m grateful to John Milne (MP for Horsham) for recently bringing an important Westminster Hall debate on the inspiring work of the @lobularmoonshot Project. The debate was dedicated to the campaign’s founder, Dr Susan Michaelis, who sadly passed away a year ago after a long battle with the disease. Even in her final days Susan was staunchly committed to the campaign for better research and specific treatments to support the 8000 women diagnosed with lobular carcinoma in the UK each year. It was a privilege to get to know Susan and her husband Tristan over the last years of her life following my own diagnosis with the disease. The charity is calling for the government to allocate £20 million over 5 years to the research and development of treatments to counter the disease’s unique biology. The previous government had committed to making that allocation, but the current government has not yet agreed to honour that commitment. To that end, I was pleased to see cross-party support for their campaign, and sincerely hope the government take heed of the need to advance knowledge of the second most common type of breast cancer. Given Andy Burnham’s previously stated support, I remain hopeful.

The tragic death of Ann Widdecombe, my predecessor as MP for Maidstone and the Weald, has united people from across the political spectrum in mourning and in gratitude for her dedicated service and contribution to public life. In the light of this, colleagues from across party lines have joined together in support of an Early Day Motion to pay their respects to Ann, and call for a commemorative installation at Parliament. Today, I joined my colleague @PeterABedford MP in writing to Mr Speaker, following a meeting with him yesterday, to ask for his support in campaigning for this physical marker of remembrance, and you can read our letter below.

There was a very different tone at PMQs this afternoon for Keir Starmer’s final session as Prime Minister, with a palpable sense of unity and good humour across the House. @KemiBadenoch showed a wonderful side of her character today; her sharp wit and kind-hearted nature were on full display. It was a real touch of class to see her final question focus on the love and support the Prime Minister’s family has given him throughout his tenure. While Kemi remained effective in her role - challenging the PM on whether his successor will face Parliament before the summer recess and reminding us all how quickly political fortunes can change - the exchange was notably respectful. I have not always agreed with the Prime Minister’s politics. However, today he answered questions in a sincere and dignified way, reflecting the integrity with which he has approached the role. I want to wish him and his family the very best for the future.

In my second question today at Solicitor General Orals, I highlighted Labour’s internal disagreement on their plans to restrict access to jury trials, by pointing out that the Solicitor General’s ardent support for this policy is at odds with the past words of the probable next PM, Andy Burnham. So what position can we expect her to take when her new boss leads a U-turn on a policy she has repeatedly described as essential?

In my first question to the Solicitor General today, I pressed her on whether she shares the view of her colleague, the Courts Minister, that their government’s attack on jury trials is a point of principle and ideology that should happen irrespective of the courts backlog. Worryingly, but not surprisingly, she dodged the question. How can the public trust these "essential" reforms when ministers can't even agree on why they're being made?

Yesterday, I joined the Shadow Justice team on the frontbench to push the government to scrap plans to release some of the most dangerous offenders early in our opposition day debate. From September, this Labour government intends to let rapists, paedophiles, and members of grooming gangs out of prison before they have served their full sentences. This should worry all of us, but is particularly horrifying for the incredibly strong victims and survivors of these offenders, some of whom joined us in the gallery for today’s debate. The government’s response was beyond disappointing. The government was unable to get their MPs to vote against our motion, as even their backbenchers recognise that this policy is indefensible, including Andy Burnham, who failed to turn up at all despite previously saying he shared our position. However, with the Government refusing to collaborate with us on emergency legislation to stop these releases, they appear to be playing party politics on an issue which should unite us all in defending victims. So, despite us defeating the government in a vote for the first time since the election, ministers seem unwilling to listen to the will of the House. They owe it to the victims to take heed of their real, legitimate fears. I sincerely hope that the incoming Prime Minister will do so after all, even if he couldn’t bring himself to last night.