Reform UK Councillor, Hutton South. Promoted by Reform UK, Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP (RT/likes do not equal endorsement.)
England
Joined March 2012
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Some of our @reformparty_uk team who were out canvassing this weekend. Residents raised lots of concerns about Green Belt development.
Most won’t be aware of it yet but new undemocratic legal changes apply from today which remove the majority of public scrutiny from the hands of the councillors who represent you. Utterly outrageous.
@reformparty_uk @paulngodfrey @russellquirk
Utterly disappointed that the @Telegraph has cancelled @LiamHalligan’s column.
For those of us who will miss his column, don’t forget to subscribe to his Substack: liamhalligan.substack.com/ab…
I was hoping to be able to announce this in my own time – but the media rumour mill is swirling, I'm being contacted by various reporters and others, and I don't like denying the truth, so ...
I wrote my first "Economic Agenda" column in The Sunday Telegraph 27 years ago, under the editorship of Dominic Lawson – filling-in occasionally during the late-1990s, before being given my own weekly slot from 2003.
Since then, while I've been heavily involved in television, and am perhaps better known as a broadcaster, penning "Economic Agenda" for The Sunday Telegraph each week has been the backbone of my journalistic life.
On Thursday, the @Telegraph rang to tell me my column is being scrapped.
I was asked, and have agreed, to write "Economic Agenda" until the end of November, as per my contract. After that, my Sunday Telegraph column will be no more.
Why this decision has been made, and whether or not my columns were any good, is for others to judge.
All I will say is that, as the first person in my family to attend university, sustaining a weekly column in a leading national newspaper for a quarter of a century has been a source of enormous pride for myself and my family.
Lots of people have been asking me about the future of "Planet Normal" - the hugely-popular Telegraph podcast which I co-created and co-present with the brilliant @AllisonPearson
"Planet Normal" has, over the last 330 weekly episodes, also become a major part of my professional life and my broader identity.
With Allison reportedly leaving the Telegraph as well, there is a lot of speculation about whether or not the podcast will continue to impart "news and views from beyond the bubble" with our usual blend of sharp analysis, humour and occasional outrage !
Well, I am delighted to confirm that Co-Pilot Pearson and myself are deeply committed to our joint podcast – and, above all, to our beloved listeners.
We will, as and when notice periods allow, continue our voyages through space every Thursday – perhaps to "Planet Normal", or maybe to another part of the solar system – so we can "gaze down each week at the madness of Planet Earth", as we have done since the Spring of 2020.
So citizens of Planet Normal, stand ready ! The "rocket-of-right-thinking", the "flying refuge of reasoned views", will soon be launched once again 🚀🪐👨🏭👱♀️🎙️📺
I poured my heart and soul into "Economic Agenda" and "Planet Normal". The Telegraph's decision to scrap them is obviously a huge personal blow. But I will always be grateful for the opportunities the paper has given me.
Above all, I would like to thank the illustrious list of successive Telegraph business editors I've worked with since the late-1990s, many of whom have become and remain good friends - including @Peston @RobertsDan @larmitstead @neilbenet @benjaminmarlow @cg_williams @kamalahmednews @MarkKleinmanSky @jamesrquinn (sorry if I've forgotten anyone, it's been a long time!)
On Friday, even though I almost always write my column from elsewhere, and despite being extremely disappointed by the paper's decision, I decided to go into the Telegraph and write today's column sitting in the newsroom.
I am glad I did - as being at the heart of the paper at such a difficult time allowed for lots of conversations, with everyone from junior production staff to senior reporters and executives, which reminded me that journalism, despite being an industry at the whim of seemingly endless and often brutal commercial and technological upheaval, is not only hugely important to our country, but full of talented, decent people.
See picture below, having just filed my piece, as I was heading out the door ...
Philippa Nicholson retweeted
The taxpayer is footing a £21m NHS bill every year for the voluntary mutilation of people’s bodies on the grounds of ‘gender reassignment’.
Mastectomies, artificial vaginas and penises.
The “majority” of the patients using the services were between 18 and 25, many with autism or mental health problems.
You be you. But don’t expect me to pay for it.
telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10…
We need a change in the tax system to enable families the option to be taxed as a unit, taking into consideration the number of dependent children they have.
This would help hard-working parents and potentially somewhat help mitigate the fertility crisis.
@RobertJenrick @reformparty_uk
The two families with small children I know best face a constant struggle.
Both sets of parents work flat out, full time, to pay the bills and make sure the kids don’t feel poor.
They pull in good money which would guarantee a nice life in most countries.
Not in broken Britain where hard work is penalised and idleness rewarded.
Unbelievable that this continues — paid for by you, the taxpayer.
There is no space for polygamy within British values and it should never have been supported by the welfare system.
Here’s something else that @JohnHealey_MP bottled in the #budget
He, like his Labour and Conservative predecessors, retained benefits for families that include multiple wives.
Men with polygamous families can still claim housing benefit and pension credit PER WIFE. For unlimited wives.
Another loophole that needs the courage of a @reformparty_uk government to close.
Seriously?! ADHD can qualify you for a third off train fares?!
Meanwhile, millions of other passengers pay full price for already eye-watering rail fares.
How is this system sustainable, or fair?
@AllisonPearson @GBNEWS @DailyTPodcast @RobertJenrick
telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10…
Philippa Nicholson retweeted
John Healey’s ‘data centre covenant’ is a pale version of the Patriotic Compact I proposed to incentivise sovereign British AI. open.substack.com/pub/dannyk…
He hasn't explained how he's going to speed up grid connections, which are hampered by Net Zero. And there’s no mention of giving local areas control over their construction.
Britain needs to take AI much more seriously and specify how we're going to solve the specific blockers - or we're going to be left behind in this existential race
Philippa Nicholson retweeted
Any party with a serious claim to bring growth back to Britain should look at this list and steal most of it.
Britain is broke. And to fix it, we need to start growing again.
That’s why Reform’s Economic Rescue Plan includes these 64 pro-growth measures I’d take if I were Chancellor:
𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝗮
1. Approve Rosebank
2. Restart oil and gas licensing
3. Legalise onshore exploration
4. Abolish the Energy Profits Levy
5. Restore maximum economic extraction as the North Sea regulator's objective
𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻
6. Abolish the Emissions Trading Scheme
7. Halt the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
8. Repudiate AR7 contracts for difference and scrap AR8
9. Implement the Fingleton Review on nuclear in full
10. Automatically approve French and South Korean nuclear designs
𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀
11. Cut affordable housing requirements on brownfield sites
12. Permitted Development Right for brownfield housing
13. Repeal Biodiversity Net Gain
14. Exit the Aarhus Convention
15. Repeal and reform the Habitats Regulations, including Nutrient Neutrality
16. End the boiler ban
17. Legalise air conditioning to meet overheating rules
18. Remove mandatory EPC improvements
19. Revoke the Future Homes Standard
20. Repeal the Renters' Rights Act
𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲
21. Legislate approval for new runways at Heathrow and Gatwick
22. Auction airport landing slots
23. End 'target-consistent' carbon pricing in project evaluation
24. Ban carbon emissions considerations in planning applications
25. Fast-track all water reservoirs as nationally significant projects
26. Make Development Consent Orders a true one-stop shop
27. Restrict judicial review of ministerial planning decisions
28. Scrap Net Zero construction rules
29. Scrap the social value test in procurement
30. Lift launch limits at SaxaVord Spaceport
31. Open completed sections of East-West Rail
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗜 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
32. Review regulatory barriers to AI adoption
33. Permit on-site gas generation for data centres and industry
𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀
34. Cut Employer NI back to 13.8%
35. Introduce a migrant worker levy
36. Repeal the Employment Rights Act
37. Clarify that workplace rights don't require mandatory training courses
38. Let experienced tradesmen work on government contracts without CSCS qualifications
𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆
39. Review bank capital requirements to boost lending
40. Rule out Net Zero in financial regulators' remits
41. Repeal climate-related financial disclosure rules
𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴
42. Scrap airport 'surface access strategies'
43. Abolish the electric vehicle mandates
44. Apply domestic GB hours to all UK HGV trips
45. Ban Low-Traffic Neighbourhoods
46. Back the M4 Relief Road
47. Move a new car's first MOT to four years
48. Abolish the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation
𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺𝘀
49. Replace GDPR with a New Zealand-style Privacy Act
50. Fully re-legalise Imperial units
51. Review all unchanged EU law
52. Automatically repeal remaining EU law in 5 years unless retained
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀
53. Make quarterly Making Tax Digital reporting voluntary
54. Reduce legal obligations on SME Non-Executive Directors
55. Double permission-free event days from 28 to 56
56. Make pavement dining licences automatic and permanent
57. Let shops open until 10pm, except Sundays
58. Repeal board diversity and inclusion rules
59. Remove the Sustainable Aviation Fuel mandate
60. Abolish the packaging tax
61. Scrap BBC and Channel 4 priority on streaming platforms
62. Remove the Public Sector Equality Duty
63. Five-year sunset on all QUANGOs
64. Five-year sunset clause on all new regulations
And there are more to come!
Britain’s full potential is waiting to be unleashed 🚀
Philippa Nicholson retweeted
🚨 BETRAYAL, LIES AND BROKEN MANIFESTO PROMISES FROM LABOUR!
Labour stood in front of the British public and promised NO return to the EU single market or freedom of movement.
Now we’re hearing they’re in talks with Brussels about doing exactly that!
Where’s the mandate for this? Where’s the referendum? 🤷🏻♀️
You cannot win an election promising one thing, then turn around and start negotiating the complete opposite!
It’s anti-democratic, it’s a betrayal of the voters, and it’s an absolute disgrace.
The British people voted for Brexit. Labour promised to respect that. They have NO mandate to quietly reverse it behind our backs!
Philippa Nicholson retweeted
France has fallen. Islamo-left mobs are openly praising Islamists who murder Jews. They put a hijab on a statue of Joan of Arc. French symbols have been smashed by thugs waving the Palestine flag. This is a putsch against democracy, says Brendan O’Neill
buff.ly/IKtXGgW
Philippa Nicholson retweeted
🇬🇧🩵 I’m proud to be part of Reform UK — and I won’t let abuse make me afraid to say it.
We don’t have to accept propaganda or allow people who distort the narrative for their own ends to speak for us.
Challenge our views. Ask difficult questions. Disagree respectfully. That is healthy debate. Personal abuse adds nothing.
Am I suggesting any political party is free of bad apples? Of course not. Where there is wrongdoing, it should be investigated and dealt with properly — including in our own party.
But I’ve met so many Reform members, councillors and mayors, and I’ve met all our MPs. My experience has been of wonderful people who care deeply about their communities and want to make a difference.
I also believe every party should face the same standards of scrutiny. Labour’s documented antisemitism failures, the Conservatives’ scandals and the serious concerns raised about the Greens’ recent conference motion which quite frankly was blatant racism and seems to have been brushed under the, all deserve examination and accountability.
Racism and antisemitism are unacceptable, whoever is responsible and whatever rosette they wear.
Holding individuals accountable matters. So does recognising the decent people working hard alongside them.
For me, this is about helping make our country a better, more prosperous and safer place for everybody to live and for our children to grow up in.
Stay strong, Reformers. Stay true to your values. Keep challenging wrongdoing and treating people with respect. 🩵🇬🇧
#ReformUK #Community #OurChildrensFuture
Philippa Nicholson retweeted
Greg, I’ve never seen or heard racism in Reform during my three years of membership.
But I did hear it when I was a member of the Conservative Party. Misogyny too.
Philippa Nicholson retweeted
Respectability matters - a lot. But there's something just as important: the courage to do what it takes to save our country. Our opponents attack us personally - but their real target isn't who we are, it's what we plan to do.
Tragic state of affairs. #dominiccummings #britishspecialforces
Philippa Nicholson retweeted
Great to welcome @Nigel_Farage to @Essex_CC today.
He spent time with @reformparty_uk #Essex councillors in County Hall and met numerous members of the public on a walkabout of #Chelmsford city centre. A fabulous reception for our party leader.
Plus, he was very keen to meet our Operation Vanguard bobbies and their bosses to learn more about our pioneering, already successful scheme to protect residents of our county.
Philippa Nicholson retweeted
Delighted to support this initiative from @MartinSLewis @MoneySavingExp - looking forward to reviewing brilliant small ideas to get Britain fixed. Spread the word blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2…
Philippa Nicholson retweeted
October 7th revealed a darkness in Britain. We must fight it at every turn.
👉 nigelfarage.substack.com/p/o…
Philippa Nicholson retweeted
“So many of Britain’s serious problems - mass migration, burgeoning national debt, a collapse of national identity - can be traced back to the decline of the family.
Britain has had below replacement birthrates since 1970.
It is the shortage of young people that has driven the demand for foreign labour and mass immigration.
It is the falling ratio of young to old that has forced us to spend beyond our means on welfare and pensions.
Without strong families, how do we pass on our culture and inheritance, the shared sense of history and identity that is what binds people into a strong nation?
Weak families are not a side issue, a peripheral concern for conservatives on a moral crusade.
Weak families are THE issue.
When the foundations decay, it is only a matter of time before the house falls down.”
"Liberal feminism has told young women that motherhood is a demotion and a waste of their talent."
— @Miriam_Cates, of @GBNEWS, at NatCon Jerusalem.
