Sir Roger Gale
Member of Parliament for Herne Bay and Sandwich (including West Thanet)
Press Releases 2026
Roger regularly issues press releases about current topics. We have included a selection of them here which we hope will be of interest to you.
18th April 2026
Great turnout for the Save Our Fields “Walk and Talk,” with a John Deere tractor from Thanet farmers Pippa and James Southorn, and a strong case from Pippa for growing our own crops.
Then on to Westgate Town Hall for quiz prizes, well done to Kerry Boyd (1st) and Vanessa Crow Brown (2nd), before heading to Dog Acre, Birchington, to judge the village scarecrow competition highlighting the threat to local farmland. The “Traditional Scarecrow” by Birchington in Bloom was a standout.
Finally, a quick visit to Pegwell Bay to catch up with talented young filmmaker Connor Carruthers, supporting the Save Minster Marshes campaign against the proposed converter station.
If we want to protect our environment, we must stand up and fight for it.
17th April 2026
Yesterday morning I took the opportunity at Business Questions to raise the issue of the failure of the company responsible, Capita, to pay, to retired civil servants, their pensions in a timely and efficient manner.
This failure is causing real personal and financial distress to loyal servants of this Country and has to be resolved as a matter of urgency.

The Leader of the House, as always courteous, has agreed to pursue this matter with the Cabinet Secretary.
16th April 2026
The Prime Minister appears to have developed a habit of deflecting difficult questions by claiming that matters “didn’t cross his desk” an approach that raises serious doubts about how decisions are being made at the highest level of government.
It is time for him to stop shifting responsibility onto others, accept accountability, and do the honourable thing by resigning.
16th April 2026
On Saturday 18th April WESTGATE & GARLINGE action group will be taking part in the “National Day of Action for nature - to save green space from development”.
Their Day of Action event starts at 10am at Dent de Lion Gatehouse with a Walk-'n'-Talk across the farmland footpath ending with a Farmer talk with a tractor at Minster Road (approximately 10.30am).
There will also have an Environmental Information Hub at Westgate Town Council Offices will be open between 10-12noon.
This is one of the many events happening across Thanet with Birchington having a Scarecrow Competition (Thanet Scarecrows) and Save Minster Marshes will be having an event by The Viking Ship in Cliffsend.
16th April 2026
A huge privilege to meet Elliott with his Mother and younger sister at a military families gathering in the House yesterday morning at the start of the month of the Military Child organised by the Royal British Legion.
Elliott’s father has served for much of his twenty five years in the army overseas and Elliott’s moving poem reflects his experience as a small boy growing up with a frequently absent dad.
Dad has just retired from the armed forces to join Lancashire police force and so at last will at least be based at home.
Do we need to be reminded of the sacrifices made not just by our serving men and women but also by their families? Yes. I think that we do.
14th April 2026
Before the Easter recess the Health Secretary, Mr Streeting, used a live interview on Sky television to take a swipe at the maternity unit at the QEQM hospital in Margate. As one who was very heavily involved in the aftermath of the death of Harry Richford I bow to nobody, save Harry’s parents and grandfather Derek, in my determination to secure improvement to the unit but I will not tolerate, ill-informed and out of date criticism of dedicated NHS staff and I took the first opportunity at Health Questions today to raise this with Streeting.
Following the publication of a damning Coroner’s reported the subsequent inquiry conducted by Dr Bill Kirkup very significant changes have been made and I have full confidence in the staff at the Maternity Unit. Gratuitous criticism of the kind levelled by Streeting can only damage morale and hinder recovery.
What is needed now is the funding of the structural improvements to the hospital estate agreed by the last government and needed to upgrade the facilities. I trust that the Secretary of State will ensure that this programme continues to be implemented and I shall be writing to call for his withdrawal of the criticism of staff contained within his answer to my question on the floor of the House.
10th April 2026
Following the Cliftonville by-election result, I want to thank Cllr Charlie Leys for the energy, determination and positivity he brought to the campaign. He worked incredibly hard over the past few weeks, speaking to residents across the area and making a strong case.
Congratulations to Rob Yates on his victory. Rob is a highly respected local Councillor with a deserved reputation for service to the community rather than to himself.
Cliftonville is a seat that Reform won with a significant majority just a year ago. This result has to be regarded as a referendum on that party’s dismal performance in office at County Hall and upon the calibre of their Leadership nationally and locally.
8th April 2026
If you live in the Kent County Council Division of Cliftonville - including Kingsgate, Beacon Road, and Cliftonville - Thursday 9th April is your chance to choose who represents you.
Your previous Reform councillor let you down. Now, you have the opportunity to elect someone who is truly committed to the community - hardworking, local, and full of energy - someone who will work for you, not for themselves.
That person is Cllr Charlie Leys, your local Conservative candidate.
Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm.
Make your voice heard - Vote Charlie Leys
7th April 2026
I recently had the pleasure of joining Tracey Crouch and Gloria De Piero on their podcast Politics Inside Out.
If you’re interested in having a listen, you can tune in here.
31st March 2026
It is shameful that Harrods of Knightsbridge, the ‘upmarket’ department store, should have terminated its compensation scheme after just one year for those employees and others who suffered rape and sexual assault at the hands of the shop’s late proprietor Mohamed Fayed.
The survivors of Fayed’s crimes are not for sale. There are those now in receipt of handsome pensions or pay-offs who were complicit and who aided and abetted Fayed’s abuse and who can and must be brought to trial.
It is imperative that the Metropolitan Police completes its inquiries and submits charges to the Crown Prosecution Service in the immediate future.
In the meantime Harrods’ reputation remains tarnished - but then of course nobody is compelled to shop there!
28th March 2026
I have been associated with the wolf enclosure since its opening seven years ago. I appreciate the care and dedication that those in charge of the care of the animals have, at every level, sought to give the pack.
The decision to put the animals to sleep was clearly not taken lightly and must have been devastating for those who have cared for, bonded with and loved the wolves.
Clearly lessons have to be learned about the keeping of pack animals in captivity but the vital work of Wildwood will continue and I offer my condolences and full support to the whole Wildwood family.
What you are doing not only gives pleasure and affords education to thousands of people each year and makes a hugely valuable contribution to the conservation of native species.
For Wildwood Kent’s full statement please go here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HbzQ3iHN7/?mibextid=wwXIfr
25th March 2026
Manston Airport - online consultation
A public consultation has launched on proposed airspace changes associated with Manston Airport. The consultation focuses on how aircraft would arrive at and depart from the airport, with the aim of ensuring safe and efficient integration with the wider UK airspace system.
It is important to note that this consultation is about the design of airspace, not the decision on whether or not the airport should reopen. The UK Government has granted consent for the reopening of Manston Airport but any changes to flight paths must go through a separate regulatory process led by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Local communities and stakeholders are being invited to review the proposals and provide feedback during the consultation period. Responses will help to inform the next stage of the Aerospace Change process before any final proposal to submitted to the regulator for consideration.
All information can be found on the CAA consultation portal (https://airspacechange.caa.co.uk/PublicProposalArea?pID=112) and the window for feedback will run until Monday 22nd June.
In addition to online submissions in person consultation events will be held at the San Clu hotel Ramsgate between 4pm and 8 on on Wednesday 22nd April and at the Christ Church Hall in Herne Bay between 1pm and 5pm on Saturday 25th April.
21st March 2026
Also during English Tourism Week I attended a Canterbury and Coastal Business Club breakfast hosted by The Dog in Wingham.
The famous family-owned gastro-pub has a well-earned and well-deserved reputation for its food and its hospitality but the message from the East Kent business community is clear: hotels, pubs, restaurants and what remains of High Street retail is feeling more than the pinch.
Trump’s War in the Middle East has, of course, already pushed the price of the fuel upon which these businesses rely further through the roof and the recent and tragic, though well-contained , outbreak of meningitis in the City has not helped visitor footfall.
But it remains Government policy that is the biggest threat to profitability.
National Insurance and business rate increases have disproportionately impacted the tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors. And this in turn has curtailed the employment opportunities upon which many young people locally have relied for their first jobs.
As we head into Spring and Summer we have to hope that the Government will get the message, slash business rates and reverse the increase in National Insurance before still more businesses go to the wall.
But with a Minister reported as saying that we should cut fuel consumption by turning off our fridges and serving warm beer don’t hold your breath!
19th March 2026
For years some of us have been campaigning against the importing of animal foods produced under conditions not permitted in the United Kingdom.
We were told that under European trade regulations we could not control these imports but that when we left the EU we would be able to regulate this trade. It has not happened and, worse, the UK continues to enter into trade agreements that disadvantage British farmers and are bad for farm animal welfare.
That is why I continue to support the National Farmers Union, the World Wildlife Fund and the RSPCA in their efforts to press this government to honour its manifesto commitment to ‘promote the highest animal welfare standards when it comes to food production’.
We need core standards that require all food imports to meet animal welfare and environmental production standards equivalent to those imposed on domestic producers.
18th March 2026
This week I asked the Justice Minister, Alex Davies Jones, if she would seek to strengthen the protection for women and girls subjected to online abuse.
She has said that ‘The Government will come for those responsible’ for the publication of non- consensual online images. This undertaking was repeated today by the Minister for Science, innovation and Technology but my constituent’s experience suggests that at least one platform is very reluctant to take down offensive material. More work needed!
18th March 2026
This week I asked the Justice Minister, Alex Davies Jones, if she would seek to strengthen the protection for women and girls subjected to online abuse.
She has said that ‘The Government will come for those responsible’ for the publication of non- consensual online images. This undertaking was repeated today by the Minister for Science, innovation and Technology but my constituent’s experience suggests that at least one platform is very reluctant to take down offensive material. More work needed!
17th March 2026
Please see the post below that I hope will be useful to my constituents.
As always, my office is always available to contact.
8th March 2026
On the eve of International Women’s Day I attended, in the House, a gathering of Iranian women organised by the National Council for Resistance in Iran (NCRI) of which I have been a longstanding supporter.
The meeting was addressed online by Madame Maryam Rajavi, The President-Elect of Iran (in exile) speaking from her headquarters in Paris.
Maryam Rajavi, who I have known for a long time and have met with personally, both in Paris and Strasbourg on many occasions, is one of the most courageous and determined women that it has been my privilege to work with and she is a shining example to the many other very brave women living in Iran who have led the call for change and far too frequently paid the price for their resistance with their lives.
Mme, Rajavi has a detailed 10-point plan for the transition from theological dictatorship to a secular democracy in Iran and for the creation of an interim administration to oversee that transition prior to the holding of full and fair elections.
My concern, as I told the meeting, is that the United States and Israel, having satisfied themselves that Iran’s capacity to create nuclear weapons has been destroyed to the point of no return, may walk away leaving a vacuum that will once again be filled by the oppressive Revolutionary Guard and its clerical controllers.
While it must be left to the people of Iran to determine their political future internally, I believe that we have a clear duty to give such support externally as we can to those who, like Mme Rajavi, wish to establish a democratic republic in Iran that recognised freedom and gender equality. We must not leave the field open to those whose evil intent knows no civilised bounds
4th March 2026
On World Wildlife Day I also joined Naturewatch to show my support for their campaign to curb the use of catapults.
When I was a boy a catapult was a toy made from wood cut from a bush, furnished with a bit of scarce elastic and used to knock tin cans off a fence. Today they are expensive, sophisticated and potentially lethal weapons used in the wrong hands to target domestic and wild animals and birds and sometimes to commit crimes against the person.
The time has surely come to recognise the force and capacity of these weapons angled to limit if not totally ban their use, perhaps under a simple amendment to the Crossbow Act?
3rd March 2026
I have received the following response to my queries of KCC in respect of the imposition of, due to structural faults, a 50 mile an hour speed limit on a section of the Thanet Way.
While I appreciate the need to conduct a thorough survey of the road in the interest of public safety the fact is that this road was completed, as a 70mph dual carriageway, less that 25 years ago at a cost of many millions of pounds.
It was designed to speed the journey times and to enhance the economy of East Kent and it would be good to think that KCC might inject a sense of urgency into identifying and implementing solutions to this problem as a matter of absolute urgency.
2nd March 2026
I endorse wholeheartedly the views expressed by my colleagues Oliver Dowden and Lincoln Jopp following the Prime Minister’s statement in the House this afternoon.
Whatever the fallout from the weekend attack on Iran by Israel and the United States the United Kingdom has a clear duty to defend our sovereign bases and other assets, our military personnel and many thousands of UK citizens resident throughout the Middle East.
Following the attack on the UK airbase at Akrotiri (Cyprus) we should surely be deploying our own defensive resources in support of the USA to take out the sites in Iran from which missile and drone strikes are being delivered.
25th February 2026
A few months ago at PMQs I questioned the Prime Minister - when he was Director of Public Prosecutions why he did not bring charges against Mohamed Fayed for rape and assault. The answers, “that case did not cross my desk”.
So today at PMQs I asked the Prime Minister again, given that the Met Police delivered two dossiers to the Crown Prosecution Service - if the Prime Minister didn’t see them, who did and could he tell the House when he expects the Met Police to bring charges against those who aided and abetted Fayed?
25th February 2026
Esther McVey’s ten minute rule bill calling for the clear labelling of kosher and halal meat by retail outlets.
I am pleased to be one of the named sponsors of Esther’s bill which was given a hearing without division, yesterday.
In Esther’s speech she rightly talks about animal welfare issues saying “individuals concerned about animal welfare would want to know if an animal had been stunned prior to slaughter.”
25th February 2026
Meet Bonnie from Battersea Dogs Home.
Bonnie was at the Dogs Group meeting in Portcullis House with a team from Battersea and ‘The Funky Vet Marc Abrahams, to highlight the situation now facing even the best of animal rescue centres.
Financial strain caused by rising energy prices
and the escalating costs of employing trained staff, adoption slow-downs because of cost of living increases, a lack of clear regulation and standards that have undermined public confidence and emotional burnout from dealing with high need, limited resources and increased workload.
23rd February 2026
I have today challenged the Government to say whether or not the Propriety and Ethics Team that undertook the original ’due diligence’ before the appointment of Lord Mandelson as the UKs Ambassador to Washington will be advising the new Cabinet Secretary in her review into the same Lord Mandelson. The Minister’s response was not reassuring!
23rd February 2026
I have today attended the Secretary of State’s statement in the Commons on the Education White paper following her many press interviews prior to publication at the weekend. It is clear that many parents with children with special needs who have fought for EHCPs and are now uncertain about their future and are very alarmed.
There will be a 12 week consultation period on the White Paper and I shall be pleased to hear from parents with concerns before submitting my own opinions to the Minister.
15th February 2026
What are your local priorities in Thanet?
What in Thanet matters most to you?
Fill in the short survey following the link below to share your priorities on roads, housing, development, safety, the environment, and the proposed North Thanet Link Road.
Your opinion matters.
10th February 2026
Today in the House I questioned the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, on the SeaLink Project.
In an earlier statement to the House Mr Miliband stated that he championed people - so with that in mind I asked if he could listen to and champion all those who are fighting against the SeaLink Project and put the proposal into the dustbin of history - where it belongs.
Unfortunately, as you will hear from his reply. It appears he is determined to provide “clean energy” at any cost.
7th February 2026
On 8th January the United States Secretary for the Interior wrote to the Government on behalf of the US Big Game Hunting industry asking our Government to abandon its proposed ban on the importing of hunting’trophies. I took the opportunity at DEFRA questions to ask the Secretary of State, Emma Reynolds, to ignore this interference in our domestic legislative program and to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to the ban.
6th February 2026
Much sympathy has rightly been expressed for the women and girls who suffered at the hands of Epstein. There is, as I reminded the House at Business Questions, another group of women who were raped or sexuality assaulted by Mohamed Fayed. Fayed is dead but we are still waiting for those who aided and abetted his crimes to be brought to justice.
4th February 2026
The Prime Minister’s amendment to the Opposition’s Humble Address motion calling for the release of all papers relating to the appointment of Mandelson as our Ambassador to Washington seeks to exempt “matters of national security and matters relating to international relations” from publication.
As Kemi Badenoch made clear at Prime Ministers Question Time it is precisely matters relating to international relations that are of concern. In seeking to suppress this information the Prime Minister clearly still does not understand that the House no longer has confidence in his judgment.
I shall be surprised if this amendment is not revised before the end of the debate.
1st February 2026
On Wednesday I spoke in the Youth Unemployment debate.
While our local colleges are doing an excellent job equipping students with skills, those efforts are being undermined by a slowing economy. Construction work is drying up, and hospitality businesses are cutting staff or closing, and young people are missing out on the first jobs that once gave them independence.
Young people don’t want schemes or empty promises. They want the dignity of a proper job, a hard day’s work and a pay packet they’ve earned. That is what I fear this Government’s policies are taking away from them.
29th January 2026
Rest in Peace Ann Well’s MBE.
Ann Wells, The Akela of the 1st Margate (St John’s) cubs and scouts has struck her tent peacefully at the age of 91 with her closest family singing campfire songs at her bedside.
When I arrived in Thanet in 1983 Ann and her splendid husband Bill had already embarked upon years of dedication to Scouting in Thanet and to offering summer camps to some of the most deprived young people in Kent.
Ann was one of the most determined, dedicated, committed and honest people that it is has been my privilege to have called my friends. She was fearless and impressive in her ability to recruit, to her cause, members of the Royal Family, Speakers and Members of the House of Commons, Bishops and ‘local dignitaries’ in support of the young people in whom she so passionately believed.
When God created Ann Wells he broke the mould: she was a unique and very special person whose legacy will live on in the lives of so many people with whom she has worked.
29th January 2026
I had the privilege of representing Dreamland as its Member of Parliament for more than 40 years until the boundary changed at the last general election.
I was there when the Secretary of State, Virginia Bottomley, opened the refurbished park in 1996. I was also there when the scenic railway was severely damaged by fire and when that gloriously restored and reopened to the public.
The wooden railway is a valuable part of our national and local seaside heritage. It has been enjoyed by millions of excited visitors since it first opened in 1920 and is a Grade 2* listed structure. It would be a huge sadness if future generations were to be denied the opportunity to experience the thrill of the roller coaster in the way that others have for more than a century.
I understand that Health and Safety is of paramount importance and that old fairground rides are costly to maintain but I hope that even at this late stage a way will be found to keep Margate’s scenic railway operational.
27th January 2026
Yesterday in parliament I questioned the Home Secretary on her proposal to create a number of ‘super forces’ to replace our County police forces.
I remain concerned about how these proposed forces will be able to provide good local policing - particularly in areas with the unique problems faced such as Kent.
We shall need to monitor these developments very carefully indeed.
16th January 2026
Age limit on access to Social Media
I have probably received more communications supporting the restricting of the age of access to social media than any other- even including ‘assisted dying’.
The Conservative Party’s official position supports the call for restrictions and as a parent of three children and with five grandchildren all under sixteen this is a cause that is very close to my heart and that I wholeheartedly support.
I know that the proposed restrictions will not be universally popular but I believe that those of us in a position to do so have a clear duty to do our utmost to protect children from the pernicious influence of unlimited access to online harm. We need to follow the Australian lead and act now before it is too late.
14th January 2026
I am gratified that it has been decided that Search and Rescue helicopter activity is returning to Manston Airport in support of operations carried out on behalf of HM Coastguard.
For me, this brings back memories of discussions in Parliament more than thirty years ago about the importance of maintaining effective helicopter Search and Rescue cover for the Kent coast and the Dover Strait. In October 1992, I spoke in the House of Commons about the need for reliable civilian SAR provision in this region and the strategic value of having appropriate facilities close to the coast.
Manston has long been associated with aviation and emergency response, and it is encouraging to see the airport once again supporting this type of essential activity.
I am pleased that an agreement has been reached to allow this to happen and I wish the crews involved every success in their lifesaving work.
8th January 2026
If reports are to be believed - and we await a formal announcement in parliament rather than yet another leak to the press - then the Government’s decision to extend the business rate relief available to Public Houses constitutes a lukewarm half-measure.
Of course any u-turn will be welcomed by the British Beer and Pub Association, many of whose members are staring into a financial black hole. But unless the concession is extended to include the High Street in general and other hospitality outlets - small restaurants and hotels in particular - then many other small businesses will still face closure.
The answer, as Kemi Badenoch has made clear in a Conservative policy statement, is to scrap the rates on small business premises in their entirety. Half-measures will not suffice.
7th January 2026
I welcome the Statement to the House, made by the Secretary of State for Defence John Healey this evening in respect of the military support to be given to Ukraine by the UK, France and The United States following a hoped - for peace agreement.
Clearly, as was discussed in the Commons, this raises serious issues relating to the provision of funding, materiel and personnel but the principle is correct: we have stood by the defence of democracy in Ukraine and we shall continue to do so - up to and including security guarantees in the form of British boots on the ground if that is what is required.
