From tackling anti-social behaviour to protecting our green belt and fighting anti-motorist policies, there’s lots to be getting on with in 2025. But for now, I hope you and your family have a peaceful and merry Christmas.

Land Improvement Holdings have begun an exercise with local people, showcasing a housing development they would like to undertake in St Mary Cray. If they achieve planning permission, they aim to build approximately 350 units on farming land south of Crockenhill Road. This is green belt land. A development of this nature will fundamentally change the look and feel of the area — and it may lead to more and more development on our precious green belt. Everyone is in agreement that we need more homes, but they must be built in the right places. No planning application has yet been submitted for this proposal, but one is expected in the near future. Please spare a few minutes to let me know your thoughts on this site by responding to my survey on my website: garethbacon.com/greenbeltsurvey #greenbelt #orpington

I visited one of our local farms, Down Court Farm, and spoke to owners Russell and John about the government’s family farm tax. They are a small family farm growing cereal crops and grass for forage — and they have been farming locally for many decades. If this tax goes ahead, they will be forced to close the business and sell the farm. I will continue to do everything I can to back local farmers like Russell and John and oppose this unfair tax. #farmers #farmersprotest #familyfarm #orpington

I have been raising reports of drug dealing in Orpington with the police. They are on the case - stepping up patrols, stopping people and making arrests. If you see anything suspicious taking place, it is important that you report it. Details in the video.

The Assisted Dying Bill passed its Second Reading in Parliament today. After studying it closely and speaking to experts and families, I voted against it. This is a highly complex and personal issue — and I believe it brings too many risks and irreversible consequences with it as I outline in the video. #assisteddying

I recently wrote to the Home Office asking them to consider introducing a licensing scheme for hand-held catapults, which are regrettably being used to kill and maim wildlife in Priory Gardens. While it would not solve the problem entirely, it could help to restrict the supply of these weapons. The new Policing Minister has replied and said that they do not consider catapults a weapon if used against wildlife and has suggested this is a matter for the Environment Department. This is not good enough and I will keep on at the Home Office and DEFRA. Shooting animals with catapults and sharing the pictures on social media is a disgusting crime and we need to stamp it out.

The government’s Budget last week was a Budget of broken promises that will damage working people. Here is my response to it in Parliament.

In its first Budget, the government has raised taxes by a record, mind blowing £40 billion. This will hit workers, businesses, entrepreneurs and investors — the very people who help us prosper as a country. The government should stop, listen, and start again.

The government’s Employment Rights Bill has recently passed its second reading. It contains a series of measures that will be bad for jobs and businesses - tying them up in mountains of red tape, exposing them to spurious tribunal claims and deterring them from hiring staff. Unions will also be given enhanced rights to access workplaces. And at the same time, the government’s own impact assessment was published showing that the measures in the bill could cost businesses up to £5 billion a year as they adjust to the new laws and take on administrative costs. This is a poor and rushed piece of legislation that puts unions over small businesses and jobs. The government needs to stop, listen, and start again. #labourparty #strikes #unions