I would like to thank everyone that attended the first Clacton Business Forum. Over 100 local businessmen and women from across the constituency attended from sectors as wide as catering, manufacturing and hospitality last Friday evening. It was great to see a room so full of passionate, driven and proud Clacton people come together to debate and discuss both national and local issues. The pride in the community was there for all to see, and in that spirit I would also like to thank Jason Smedley from The Royal Hotel who was an excellent host.

In attendance were a number of groups and community service providers who set up their stalls to give advice. My thanks to Reed in Partnership, Lets Do Business, Colbea, Citizens Advice Bureau Tendring, the Federation of Small Business and Job Centre Plus for supporting the event. Many of them do an excellent job in getting people back into work locally and their efforts can sometimes go unrewarded. 

It is not surprising that the biggest worries on the night were the government increases to employers National Insurance Contributions. I have fought against this fearlessly since the Labour budget last November and Reform MPs in Parliament will continue to do so.

The majority of attendees agreed on the need for a Clacton Town Council. This is particularly important as the Labour government intend to abolish Tendring District Council. As I wrote in the Clacton Gazette on the 21st November, I will continue to push for this initiative to happen.

There is tremendous potential throughout Clacton, Weeley, Frinton, Walton, Holland, Jaywick, St Osyth, the Bentleys, Thorpe, Kirby, Oakley & Wix and lots of entrepreneurial spirit. I will always do my bit to stand up for local businesses first.