Lincolnshire MPs react to PM’s call for general election on June 8
Lincolnshire MPs have been reacting to the news that Prime Minister Theresa May has announced plans to call a snap general election for June 8. The surprise announcement was made by the prime minister outside Downing Street on April 18. Theresa May has repeatedly made clear in the past her desire to not hold a…
Theresa May on her visit to Lincoln in 2015. Photo: Steve Smailes/Lincolnshire Reporter
Lincolnshire MPs have been reacting to the news that Prime Minister Theresa May has announced plans to call a snap general election for June 8.
The surprise announcement was made by the prime minister outside Downing Street on April 18.
Theresa May has repeatedly made clear in the past her desire to not hold a general election before 2020.
However, she claimed that opposition parties in Westminster were putting Brexit at risk of jeopardy.
She said: “We need a general election and we need one now.
“I have only recently and reluctantly come to this conclusion but now I have concluded it is the only way to guarantee certainty for the years ahead.”
Under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act introduced by her predecessor David Cameron, the PM is unable call an election directly, but she said she would lay down a motion in the House of Commons that would require two thirds of MPs to back it.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said that he welcomes the snap election.
Sir Edward Leigh – Gainsborough
Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter
“I’m delighted to have this opportunity to go back to my constituents and seek a mandate to deliver the PM’s vision for Brexit.
“I look forward to getting out and about in the constituency and securing my reelection.”
Martin Vickers – Cleethorpes
Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter
“I fully support the PM’s decision. A convincing Conservative victory will strengthen our hand in the Brexit negotiations.
“The election will also be a vote of confidence in the government’s handling of the economy – an area of policy that the Labour Party have no realistic, coherent alternatives and a woeful record of failure still fresh in the minds of voters.
“Also when people look at the party leaders Theresa May stands head and shoulders above Jeremy Corbyn.”
Matt Warman – Boston and Skegness
Boston and Skegness MP Matt Warman. Photo: Lincolnshire Reporter
“I support the call for the general election and the opportunity to give the prime minister the ringing endorsement she richly deserves.
“What we need to do is deliver a strong, stable Conservative government led by Theresa May, which will enable us to have the best possible government for the Brexit process and the best government as a whole for the country.”
Grantham and Stamford – Nick Boles
Nick Boles, Conservative MP for Grantham and Stamford. Photo: Policy Exchange
“I fully support Theresa May’s decision to hold an election, and I think that it is right to secure that mandate from the country as we head in to the Brexit negotiations.
“On a personal level I will be talking over the coming days to family and colleagues to make a decision, which I will announce in due course.”
Karl McCartney – Lincoln
Theresa May with Lincoln MP Karl McCartney Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
“I am delighted that the prime minister has shown strong leadership in calling a general election in June this year.
“It gives the people of the city of Lincoln the opportunity to choose a Conservative government that will deliver a successful Brexit, continue with improving the quality of life for everyone in Lincoln and continue with its investment plans for our city and county – just has it has done since I was first elected in 2010.
“The choice is clear – between a Conservative government and Member of Parliament that wants people, businesses and organisations in the city of Lincoln to succeed, and a Labour Party who have repeatedly said they will do all they can to frustrate Brexit and put jobs and livelihoods at risk, both locally and across our country.”
Melanie Onn – Great Grimsby
Great Grimsby MP Melanie Onn
“I will be standing to continue as Member of Parliament for my hometown, Great Grimsby.
“It has been a privilege to represent the town I was born and raised in, and I have spent the last two years standing up for Great Grimsby in Westminster, putting the town back on the map and making sure that people listen to us again.
“Whether it’s meant working with the prime minister to protect local jobs, speaking up for the fishing and renewables industry, or fighting against the Conservative government’s cuts to schools and hospitals, I have always made Great Grimsby’s voice heard in Parliament.
“Theresa May has said since becoming Prime Minister that calling an election in the middle of the Brexit negotiations would be a distraction from getting the best deal for Britain, putting her party before the country.
“Calling this election now shows that she cannot rely on her own party to back her on the key issues.
“I am standing again to ensure that we get the best Brexit deal for Grimsby. I accepted the result of the referendum, heard what people in Grimsby were saying during the campaign, and voted in parliament to trigger Article 50.
“My focus since June 23 has been to protect workers’ rights from the right-wing Tories who want to see them cut; secure local jobs which rely on market access to Europe; and holding the government to the promises they made to the NHS and fishing industry during last year’s campaign.
“I am hopeful the voters of Great Grimsby will choose me on their ballot papers again and allow me to continue standing up for Great Grimsby in Parliament.”
Caroline Johnson – Sleaford and North Hykeham
Sleaford and North Hykeham MP, Caroline Johnson. Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Reporter
“We need this election now to secure the strong leadership that this country needs to see us through the Brexit process, and beyond.
“The division in Westminster caused by the other parties, coupled with the government’s small majority, risks weakening our hand in our negotiations with Europe.
“This election gives us the opportunity to bring stability and certainty for a full five years. The choice is a stark one – the strong and competent leadership of Theresa May, or the weak and unstable Labour party under Jeremy Corbyn.
“I am looking forward to getting back out on the doorsteps to continue my conversation with local people about what they want to see from Brexit and from a government working in their interests.”
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A couple building a giant cathedral-like property in south Lincolnshire will feature on Channel 4’s Grand Designs on Wednesday night.
Nathan and Ayme Marshall have modelled the ambitious project understood to be near Spalding on Dutch barn style houses.
Flooding and pregnancy added extra pressure onto the project, which will feature in the third episode of the latest series at 9pm on Channel 4 on January 20.
The home boasts a 5,000-tile armadillo roof, as well as a yet to be revealed contemporary twist.
It will have a wing for Nathan’s teenage children and a two-bedroom annexe for his mum and step-dad to move into from the static caravan they’ve lived in for the last 13 years.
The couple modelled the ambitious cathedral-like property project on Dutch barn style houses. | Photo: Channel 4
Take a look inside. | Photo: Channel 4
Tomorrow night we head to South Lincolnshire where Nathan and Amye are building a unique cathedral-like home modelled on local Dutch barn houses.
Lincolnshire born and bred Nathan has never moved far from his own town and always wanted to stay local.
He set up building, pub and microbrewery businesses where he grew up before meeting Amye five years ago, who is a teacher from Ireland.
Nathan and Ayme ambitious plans will feature on Grand Designs. | Photo: Channel 4
The couple want to finish the build in just a year, but the project didn’t get off to the easiest of starts.
Constant rain and a rising water table caused excavations to collapse and a 36 tone crane to sink into the mire.
On tonight’s brand-new @granddesigns, @Kevin_McCloud is visiting Lincolnshire, where Nathan and Amye are building a giant cathedral-like home modelled on local Dutch barn houses – but flooding and pregnancy put the pressure on. Catch it at 9pm on @Channel4pic.twitter.com/RBfJIPQZOO
Councillors have approved plans to build 125 homes across three areas in South Kesteven.
66 homes will be built in Corby Glen, 40 in Grantham and 19 in Bourne.
South Kesteven District Council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved the 66 and 19 homes, while the 40 homes application in Grantham was more controversial.
66 homes in Corby Glen
An artist’s impression of how the 66 home development will look.
Larkfleet Homes were unanimously given permission by councillors to build 66 homes in Corby Glen.
The planning development will be situated on the land adjacent to the fire station in the village.
There will be a walking and cycling link, 30% affordable housing, educational and NHS contributions as well as a mixture of semi-detached, terraced, three and four-bed homes.
Only two objections were raised from members of the public.
Cllr David Bellamy questioned if there will be any bungalows for the retired and elderly — but there won’t be any.
Cllr Helen Crawford added: “I think we need to cater for all generations.”
40 homes in Grantham
The site plan layout for 40 dwellings in Grantham.
40 homes in Grantham were also approved in the planning committee, eight of which being classed as affordable.
The site will be at what was Grantham Church High School, Queensway. The school was closed and demolished in 2014.
The site was previously granted outline consent for 44 dwellings but four homes were removed from plans to allow for some on-site surface water reduction.
Educational contributions of £135,931 and NHS contributions of £26,400 will be made.
Lynette Swinburne, charteredtownplannerandtheagentfortheapplication said: “This represents an opportunity for the redevelopment of a brownfield site to create new homes.”
Cllr Ian Selby said: “Thisisnotmakingbestuseofthe areaquestion” and highlighted the congestion issue of approximately 80 more cars in the area.
Phil Jordan, Principal Planning Officer said it’s a “sustainable location” as you can walk to shops so there may be less of a need for cars.
A motion to defer decisions fell. There were nine in favour of proposals, one against (Cllr Selby), and two abstained.
19 homes in Bourne
Artist’s impression of how the 19 homes in Bourne will look.
19 homes in Bourne were unanimously approved on the land off Falcon Way in the planning committee.
Developers EFR Construction Ltd will build detached, semi-detached and apartment properties providing a range of one, three and four-bed accommodation.
Two one-bed homes will be affordable.
Cllr Helen Crawford praised the appearance of the new homes saying the designs weren’t just “off the shelf”.
A mother who attacked police officers arresting her son has been jailed for three months at Lincoln Crown Court.
Lesley Wilkinson, 45, of High Street, Blyton, near Gainsborough, punched one officer in the face and then kicked him in the groin.
She went on to kick a second officer in the head during the incident at her home in the village of Blyton.
Eunice Opare-Addo, prosecuting, said that officers went to the family home in December 2019 as part of an investigation into an incident that occurred earlier in the day.
Jordan Kirman, Wilkinson’s son, was arrested at the house and then a Special Constable went to arrest Wilkinson.
Miss Opare-Addo said: “Lesley Wilkinson became obstructive and punched the officer to the left side of the face making contact with the left cheek.
“The defendant began screaming and shouting. She kicked the officer in the groin area and then continued to kick out at the right side of his leg.
“She was escorted past Jordan Kirman, who was being detained. She was being aggressive and confrontational.
“As she walked past, she kicked twice at the officer detaining her son. One kick contacted the officer’s head and the second contacted the right elbow.”
Miss Opare-Addo said that as Wilkinson was being restrained a third officer suffered an injury to his right arm.
Lesley Wilkinson admitted two charges of assaulting an emergency worker and a further charge of obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty as a result of the incident on December 22, 2019. She was jailed for three months.
Judge John Pini QC, passing sentence, told her: “I accept you felt aggrieved but that does not justify what you did.
“This court will not tolerate deliberate assaults on police officers. In your case there has to be an immediate custodial sentence.”
Jordan Kirman, 20, of the same address, admitted obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty.
He also admitted being in breach of a suspended jail sentence imposed for an offence of assault.
He was given a three-month community order with a three-month night-time curfew.
Mark Watson, for Wilkinson, said that an ongoing feud with another family resulted in police calling at her home.
He said that Wilkinson was the innocent party in that matter and intended to call police to complain of an assault, but the other family got in ahead of her and made their call first.
“What then took place is in the context of Lesley Wilkinson being assaulted herself and then being arrested. That gave rise to a strained situation and she reacted badly when the police called.”
Mr Watson said that Wilkinson later faced a Magistrates Court trial over the incident which led to her police visiting her home and she was acquitted after citing self-defence.
He told the court that Wilkinson has mental health problems and he urged that any prison sentence should be suspended.
Leanne Summers, for Kirman, said: “When the police arrested him, he was initially compliant but then became concerned about the way police were treating his mother. In hindsight he realises he could have handled the situation better.”
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