Speakers' Corner Online
Susan Hall AM - Leader of the Conservatives on the London Assembly
Wednesday 3rd June, 7pm.
I'm pleased to welcome Susan Hall AM as the latest guest in my ongoing series of Speakers' Corner Online events.
Susan is the leader of the Conservative Group on the London Assembly. She has won widespread recognition for the tenacity with which she holds the Mayor of London to account. Susan is a London-wide member of the Assembly and is a councillor on and former leader of Harrow Borough Council.
Join other members from South West London and beyond as Susan and I discuss transport, crime, the environment and other weighty issues facing our city as we look ahead to next year's Mayoral and Assembly elections.
Make sure you have downloaded Zoom and registered for a free account, then click the link below just before the session starts.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83980144353
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Dear all,
I must admit, it was rather odd to have Thursday 7th May pass by as an entirely unremarkable day! I had expected to be speeding across South West London getting out the vote. Instead, I worked a night shift...
Despite the halt in campaigning, the last 48 hours have seen some astonishing developments in London politics. You will likely have seen the coverage of the government's £1.6 billion bailout of Transport for London. True to form, Sadiq Khan could not simply request help - he had to pick a fight with the government and issued an ultimatum threatening to cut Tube and bus services unless his demands were met.
In effect, he was holding London's recovery to ransom and using key worker safety as a bargaining chip. Classy.
Fortunately for Londoners, the government's bailout comes with many strings attached, including:
- A full review of TfL's finances and structure.
- Government representatives on the TfL board.
- Full restoration of Tube services.
- Staff sickness rates reported daily to government.
- 'Stay Alert' messaging advertised on the Underground.
Shaun Bailey has been extremely active across the media for the last two days, hammering home the point that the Mayor had ruined TfL's finances long before the coronavirus outbreak. Shaun has noted:
- A 'fares freeze' costing £640 million so far, to the benefit of tourists rather than London commuters.
- A record £13 billion in debt, with £400 million in interest every year.
- 22 of 26 major transport projects delayed or cancelled - including the Piccadilly Line signalling upgrade so vital for commuters in Chiswick and the rest of Hounslow.
Transport is probably the biggest single thing the Mayor does. Sadiq Khan has so comprehensively failed that the government is now forced to step in, bail him out and prevent him from doing further damage. As others have pointed out, he is now 'Mayor in name only'.
May 2021 cannot come soon enough.
I hope you will be able to join me for our virtual pub quiz this Wednesday and for my next Speakers' Corner Online event (American Edition) on Tuesday 26th - full details below. Please also see below for a couple of requests for help and information.
In the meantime, stay safe, stay well, stay alert!
Kind regards,
Nick
Nicholas Rogers
Conservative London Assembly candidate for Hounslow, Richmond & Kingston
PS - if you are on Twitter, please follow Shaun (@ShaunBaileyUK) and retweet his content.
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Wednesday 20th May, 7.30pm
Kingston & Surbiton Conservative Association have organised a virtual pub quiz, hosted jointly by Association chairman Catherine Harding and me.
Grab a glass of something, catch up with fellow members and exercise your little grey cells...
If you'd like to participate, the quiz will be hosted on Zoom. Please email me for the link - you can reply to this email.
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Speakers' Corner Online
Ben Roback on the US Presidential Election
Tuesday 26th May, 7pm.
For the latest in my series of Speakers' Corner Online events, I'm delighted to welcome Ben Roback to discuss November's Presidential election.
Ben is Head of Trade & International Policy at the consultancy Cicero / AMO, focusing largely on trade policy, Brexit and financial services. He also provides analysis and insight for clients on Washington politics and the Trump administration. Ben is the US politics columnist for ConservativeHome.
Join other members from South West London and beyond as Ben outlines how the campaigns have developed and what we can expect from the next six months of the Presidential election.
Make sure you have downloaded Zoom and registered for a free account, then click the link below just before the session starts.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81616761049
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How is the community coming together in your local area?
Across the city, people are stepping up to support each other through this crisis.
Whether through arranging meal deliveries for vulnerable or self-isolating people or through providing services to key workers, there are thousands of examples of selfless community service.
Shaun Bailey and his team want to highlight some of these wonderful projects from across London. If you know of a group or individual who has been helping out their local community, please let me know - you can reply to this email with the information and I will forward it to Shaun's team.
Request for help!
Although we are not campaigning at the moment, the work of politics never stops. Currently we have volunteers inputting data from the marked registers across all five Associations. This is vital to build up a full picture of the local electoral landscape and will inform our campaign strategy for the coming year.
If you can help with inputting some data - even for a few hours - it would be much appreciated. It is not a difficult task and will be enormously helpful. If you can help, please email Borough Campaign Manager Alex Fiuza - alexander.fiuza@conservatives.com.
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Speakers' Corner Online
Amanda Milling MP - Chairman of the Conservative Party
Wednesday 29th April, 7.30pm
For the latest in my series of Speakers' Corner Online events, I'm delighted to welcome Amanda Milling, Member of Parliament for Cannock Chase and, from February of this year, Chairman of the Conservative Party.
This is your opportunity to put your questions to Amanda and find out her vision for the future of our Party and its campaigning organisation.
Join other members from South West London and beyond for what promises to be a very interesting discussion.
Make sure you have downloaded Zoom and registered for a free account, then click the link below just before the session starts. Please also note the slightly later start time of 7.30pm.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81549786868
Please note - for there has been some confusion - that the only people on camera in these sessions are me and my guest. No need to dress up!
Conservative Policy Forum - Coronavirus, Economic Consequences & Lockdown Exit
Online Conservative Policy Forum Debate
TONIGHT, 7pm
When Boris Johnson put the UK into lockdown on 23rd March, he said it would last for an initial three weeks. Since then, the UK population has kept to the lockdown stipulated by the government, maintaining social distancing, working from home and doing everything possible to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.
But at what cost? When the time is right, what is the best route out of lockdown, and back to economic growth and recovery?
How should the UK government relax the rules and reopen an economy that's been all but shut down by the virus?
We are joined by eminent economist and commentator Julian Jessop. The event will be hosted and moderated by SW London GLA Candidate, Nick Rogers. The event will be introduced by Voluntary Deputy Director CPF National, Roger Metcalfe and Dr Tania Mathias, previously MP Twickenham, with upcoming CPF brief, will represent the NHS arguments.
If you would like to join this event, pleae email me directly - nicholas@nicholasrogers.org - and I will send you the Zoom link.
How to download and use Zoom
Zoom is a powerful platform for video conferencing. You can download it on your computer, smart phone or tablet - or all three.
First, head to www.zoom.us and sign up for a free account (click the button in the top right of the screen).
Second, download the 'Zoom desktop client' from the web site and sign in using the free account you just registered. Then you're all set to use it on your computer.
For phones or tablets, search for 'Zoom' in the App Store or on Google Play and download it. Sign in using the free account you registered at www.zoom.us and you're ready to go.
I'm no technical expert but if you have any questions, please email me at nicholas@nicholasrogers.org and I'll do my best to help.
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Stay at home | Protect the NHS | Save lives
21st April 2020
Dear all,
I hope you are all keeping well.
It's been a busy time in my railway operations day job, even if, quite rightly, very few people are using trains. It is certainly a surreal experience to be the only person on the platform at Surbiton Station on my way to and from the office!
I hope you can join my event with Julie Marson MP tomorrow evening. If you have any suggestions for other guests you'd like to see, please let me know.
In the meantime, let's KBO as Churchill exhorted. I miss seeing you all and I cannot wait to get back out on the campaign trail when it is safe to do so!
Kind regards,
Nick Rogers
Conservative London Assembly candidate for Hounslow, Richmond & Kingston
PS: A very happy 94th birthday to Her Majesty The Queen. Her selfless service to our country - and the Commonwealth - throughout her entire life is an inspiration to us all. We are very fortunate indeed to have her on the throne.
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Speakers' Corner Online
Julie Marson - Member of Parliament for Hertford & Stortford
Wednesday 22nd April, 7pm
I'm delighted to be joined by Julie Marson MP for the latest in my series of Speakers' Corner Online events.
Julie is the MP for Hertford & Stortford, elected in December 2019. Prior to her election, Julie worked in finance and served as a magistrate and local councillor. She has put her finance background to good use in the Commons as a member of the Treasury Select Committee.
Julie will be talking about - among other things - her journey to Parliament, what she learned during the campaign and her experience as a newly-elected MP.
Join other members and supporters from South West London and beyond and put your questions to Julie.
Make sure you have downloaded Zoom and registered for a free account, then click the link below just before the session starts.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88995205766
Please note - for there has been some confusion - that the only people on camera in these sessions are me and my guest. No need to dress up!
How to download and use Zoom
Zoom is a powerful platform for video conferencing. You can download it on your computer, smart phone or tablet - or all three.
First, head to www.zoom.us and sign up for a free account (click the button in the top right of the screen).
Second, download the 'Zoom desktop client' from the web site and sign in using the free account you just registered. Then you're all set to use it on your computer.
For phones or tablets, search for 'Zoom' in the App Store or on Google Play and download it. Sign in using the free account you registered at www.zoom.us and you're ready to go.
I'm no technical expert but if you have any questions, please email me at nicholas@nicholasrogers.org and I'll do my best to help.
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2nd April 2020
Speakers' Corner Online
Shaun Bailey - Conservative candidate for Mayor of London
Friday 3rd April, 7pm
For the second of my weekly series of Speakers' Corner Online events, I'm pleased to be joined by Shaun Bailey.
Shaun will discuss politics in London, his campaign - now lengthened by a year - and how he plans to beat Sadiq Khan.
Join other members and supporters from South West London and beyond and put your questions to Shaun in what will be a fascinating online discussion.
Make sure you have downloaded Zoom and registered for a free account, then click the link below just before the session starts.
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/680770684
Please note that at the moment sessions are restricted to a maximum of 100 attendees - this could change if they prove popular.
How to download and use Zoom
Zoom is a powerful platform for video conferencing. You can download it on your computer, smart phone or tablet - or all three.
First, head to www.zoom.us and sign up for a free account (click the button in the top right of the screen).
Second, download the 'Zoom desktop client' from the web site and sign in using the free account you just registered. Then you're all set to use it on your computer.
For phones or tablets, search for 'Zoom' in the App Store or on Google Play and download it. Sign in using the free account you registered at www.zoom.us and you're ready to go.
I'm no technical expert but if you have any questions, please email me at nicholas@nicholasrogers.org and I'll do my best to help.
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Dear all,
These are certainly strange times. We've gone from worrying about delivering surveys and talking about policing and transport to social distancing, suspended elections, school closures and self-isolation in a matter of weeks.
Watching Boris, Rishi Sunak, Matt Hancock and their colleagues leading the Herculean national efforts to combat COVID-19, I've never been more proud to be a Conservative.
And as Conservatives, people will look to us to lead by example.
Over the coming weeks, we must all ensure that we educate ourselves on the latest government advice, that we follow it assiduously and that we motivate our friends and family to do likewise. We all have our contribution to make to carry the country through this crisis.
My rail operations job means I will continue to go to work and help keep the trains running. And whilst my London Assembly campaign is suspended for the time being, I will keep working for our communities in South West London. I am setting up two initiatives to help people who are staying at home and possibly feeling anxious, lonely or just plain bored.
First, an online book club. I set this up a few days ago and we now have over 30 members. We've chosen our first book - the thriller 'Our House' by Louise Candlish - and will be reading a book a week, with weekly video chats to share our thoughts on the books we read. You can join by clicking here.
Second, I have set up 'Speakers' Corner Online' - a series of online discussions with me and various interesting people from the world of politics and beyond, primarily aimed at Party members. Our first virtual guest this coming Friday evening is the former MP Nick de Bois, who recently published his amusing and eye-opening memoir 'Confessions of a Recovering MP'.
These discussions will be broadcast via Zoom video conference which you will need to download if you want to participate - there is the facility for members to ask questions and contribute to the discussion. Details are below.
We will get through this by looking out for each other. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you or your local community - email me directly at nicholas@nicholasrogers.org.
Kind regards,
Nick
London Assembly candidate for Hounslow, Richmond and Kingston
Speakers' Corner Online
Nick de Bois - former MP for Enfield North
Friday 27th March, 7pm
Nick served as Member of Parliament for Enfield North between 2010 and 2015. In 2018, he published his memoir of his time in Parliament, 'Confessions of a Recovering MP'. The Daily Mail called the book 'shocking, hilarious and brutally honest'. Boris Johnson said it was a 'must-read'.
Nick will join us online via Zoom video conference to discuss the book and give us the inside story of life as an MP. To join, please download Zoom (instructions below) and click the link below just before 7pm on Friday 27th.
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/626405802
You can find Nick's book on Amazon, where you can buy it or download a free sample for Kindle.
Please note that at the moment sessions are restricted to a maximum of 100 attendees - this could change if they prove popular.
How to download and use Zoom
Zoom is a powerful platform for video conferencing. You can download it on your computer, smart phone or tablet - or all three.
First, head to www.zoom.us and sign up for a free account (click the button in the top right of the screen).
Second, download the 'Zoom desktop client' from the web site and sign in using the free account you just registered. Then you're all set to use it on your computer.
For phones or tablets, search for 'Zoom' in the App Store or on Google Play and download it. Sign in using the free account you registered at www.zoom.us and you're ready to go.
I'm no technical expert but if you have any questions, please email me at nicholas@nicholasrogers.org and I'll do my best to help.
24th March 2020
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Nick Rogers will be contesting the GLA seat on 7th May 2020 in the South West Region of London for the Conservative party.
Nicholas Rogers is a former Metropolitan Police Special Constable and a career railway worker, so has direct experience of some of the most pressing issues facing South West London. He wants to use that experience to be a strong and informed voice on the London Assembly.
Nicholas is an Incident Controller for Network Rail, managing the response to any accident, incident or emergency that occurs on the South West route out of Waterloo. That can mean anything from points failures and signal failures to trespassers, broken down trains and everything in between. Prior to that, Nicholas was one of the managers of Waterloo Station.
‘My job involves fixing things when they go wrong in real-time on one of the busiest rail routes in Europe,’ says Nicholas. ‘Every day I see what works and what doesn’t work; I have to keep my cool in very high-pressured situations. It’s an exciting and challenging job, but most importantly it’s given me incredibly valuable inside knowledge of our transport system that I will bring with me to City Hall.’
Outside of work, Nicholas has always been involved in voluntary and community work. He served as a Special Constable in the Metropolitan Police, patrolling the estates in North Kensington alongside regular officers. ‘Coming from a police and armed forces family, it was fascinating to see what the life of a police officer is really like. While I personally was definitely more Hot Fuzz than Hawaii Five-O, it was an honour to serve alongside officers putting themselves at risk everyday to keep our city safe.’ Nicholas also served as a borough councillor in Kent.
More recently, Nicholas set up community projects in South West London. In 2016 he founded TEDxKingstonUponThames, a series of non-profit events based on the famous TED Talks model with the aim of giving interesting local people and projects a platform. It has now grown to become one of the largest TEDx events in the country, selling out Kingston’s Rose Theatre twice. Nicholas also sponsored and set up two Little Free Libraries in his local community, to promote his love of reading and to ensure that local people always have easy access to books.
Nicholas lives in Surbiton with his husband, Liam, and their three cats. When he’s not at work or out campaigning, he enjoys reading (especially anything related to cities), catching up on Netflix (favourites include Breaking Bad and Frasier) and listening to music, particularly jazz. Nicholas and Liam are also passionate architecture and design devotees.
To read more about Nick and to follow and help with his campaign, please use the below link.
https://www.nicholasrogers.org/