The best part of being the MP for Hornchurch and Upminster is seeing the people who make our communities work—whether through charity work, nurturing fantastic kids, or running brilliant businesses.
Recently, I visited the Crumpled Horn in Upminster, where Russ, Katie and their customers have turned a thriving pub into a fundraising hub.
Their events support Saint Francis Hospice, the Royal British Legion, and other causes.
At Bear with the Hair in Hornchurch, owner Kellie spoke about the work her wonderful salon does to help people regain their confidence following hair loss, while we talked about my campaign to support responsible hair and beauty businesses who are getting hit by high taxes and competitors who dodge the rules.
Salons create jobs and apprenticeships, provide incredibly valuable services, and draw people onto our high streets.
Yet employers doing the right thing are squeezed by rising costs left, right, and centre.
I also visited Centrepoint’s accommodation in Harold Hill, meeting staff and young residents.
Their work shows that tackling homelessness is not simply about providing a roof.
It means helping young people gain the stability, confidence, and skills to live independently.
These visits are a useful yardstick for measuring the new prime minister Andy Burnham’s various promises from tackling rising bills to delivering more housing and ending rough sleeping.
Those are worthwhile aims but Downing Street announcements and vibes are not the same as delivery.
Temporary rates cuts for pubs are welcome, but what small businesses want is lasting certainty on tax, energy, and employment costs, which have all ballooned in cost.
Salons need a system that rewards taking on staff and apprentices.
Centrepoint shows that reducing homelessness requires tailored support, affordable move-on housing, and routes into work.
My wider concern is that Burnham’s instinct appears to be more spending, more borrowing and more power for Labour mayors.
I am not sure anyone in Havering wants to see Sir Sadiq Khan given more authority in City Hall.
Residents have already experienced the Ulez expansion, repeated rises in the mayoral precept, and disruption from Transport for London’s handling of Gallows Corner.
They are entitled to ask why Sadiq Khan should receive an even bigger cheque and more control over local decisions.
Havering does not lack ambition or community spirit.
It needs a government that gets off the back of those people who are delivering by lowering their taxes, not spending their money on crazy things and focusing relentlessly on providing the services that only government can deliver.
- Julia Lopez is Conservative MP for Hornchurch and Upminster.
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