Political opinion: Off The Fence with Alan Mak MP: Saying no to asylum seeker housing
I've been busy meeting residents and collecting signatures for my petition making it clear to Havant Borough Council and the Labour Government that we don't want asylum seeker housing anywhere in our community.
I launched the petition after plans by the Labour Government to house asylum seekers, some of whom may have entered the country illegally, in Waterlooville town centre.
The building they wanted to use in Waterlooville was not in my constituency. But many residents in my patch contacted me urging me to oppose the plan and to pass on their deep concern about this proposal, and the potential for similar proposals elsewhere in our community in the future.
I wrote to the Home Secretary and Labour-controlled Havant Borough Council, calling on them to think again. I was pleased to see their plan was then shelved because the property on London Road was deemed unsuitable.
But although we've been successful in stopping this proposal, we must keep up the pressure on the Government and Havant Borough Council to ensure no asylum seeker accommodation is created in the Havant Constituency.
If you agree with me, sign my petition at www.AlanMak.org.uk/NoAsylumHousing
Residents in the Havant Constituency are welcome to come on one of my popular Houses of Parliament tours. You can enjoy a guided tour before joining me for a private Q&A session.
The coach leaves the Havant area around 8am and returns around 5.30pm. The next available tour is Monday, December 8. Apply for a place online: www.AlanMak.org.uk/Tours
Engaging with local residents is a top priority for me as MP. That's why I hold Q&A public meetings for residents all year round, both in Parliament as part of my tours and also across the Havant Constituency.
The next one is from 1pm on Friday, November 28 in the Purbrook and Stakes area.
I’ve found this format has worked well since I launched them back in 2015 when I was first elected. To register your interest in attending, please go to www.AlanMak.org.uk/PublicMeeting
I'm providing free Union and St George flags to local residents as part of my ongoing Fly The Flag campaign. Only available to Havant constituents. One flag per household. To request one, please go to www.AlanMak.org.uk/Flag
The best ways to stay up to date with the work I'm doing as your local MP all year round are to follow my social media accounts, especially Facebook ( www.fb.com/AlanMakHavant), and sign up for my regular residents' email newsletter at www.AlanMak.org.uk/Newsletter
You can also share your views on local and national issues with me by completing my online survey at www.AlanMak.org.uk/Survey