National politics is fixated on Brexit, but I am very conscious from my postbag, that there are so many vital and important issues in our day-to-day lives. At this time of year of renewal, of putting winter behind us, I have concentrated on community events – as that to me is the spirit of our community here in Kensington.There is plenty going on in Kensington, but much of my time is taken up helping residents with casework and making sure that I can put you in touch with the help and assistance that you need.

We have just had the “offer day” for school places, and Kensington and Chelsea did not have enough space in its excellent schools, so this will be one of my campaigns if I am selected to be your candidate for the next General Election.

Whilst the politicians in Westminster have been battling it out over Brexit, it has been a busy few months locally in Kensington, and I would commend the RBKC Councils new plan available here.

Read More Here…

A massive thank you to all who came out in Chelsea last Tuesday (23rd April) to deliver the leaflets regarding the successful campaign to stop Sadiq Khan’s proposed changes to Chelsea bus routes.

This weekend, we’ll be hitting the streets of Chelsea again to cover Stanley and Chelsea Riverside Wards  – and we’d really love your help!

We will also be in Chelsea Riverside again next Monday (29th April) in order to finish deliveries for the Ward.

Read More Here…

The rise in knife crime and violent crime, particularly amongst young people, has heightened the debate about drugs. However, I am not one of those hand-wringers who think the answer to knife crime and drug wars is the legalisation of drugs. What do you think the drug dealers would go off and do? Sit around? This is very unlikely. This is a problem that must be tackled from all sides with unity and purpose. This is about investing in our young people.

Read Victoria’s article on Conservative Home…

For over 30 years years, Al-Hasaniya Moroccan Women’s Centre continues to serve the needs of Moroccan and Arabic-speaking women and their families in London.

I was delighted to speak at their AGM this year.

Read Al Hasaniya’s letter here

I’ve been receiving hundreds of responses from my #Kensington survey. Crime, the cost of living and supporting local businesses are just some of the issues important to you. If you haven’t yet told me your priorities for our area, you can do so by visiting victoriaborwick.london. Your views are important and they will form the basis of my ‘Campaigns for Kensington’.

Local decisions affect you but how can you affect local decisions?

The Council is reviewing how we make decisions and how we can better involve local people in the decisions that matter to them. Public meetings will be held monthly from October 2018 until May 2019.

Upcoming events include:

5 February 2019, 6.30pm; Freeman Suite, Kensington Town Hall
2 April 2019, 6.30pm; Freeman Suite, Kensington Town Hall
2 May 2019, 6.30pm; Committee Room 1, Kensington Town Hall

Click here for further information…

It’s been another busy week in Kensington working with local residents, businesses and volunteers in the community.

Last Thursday evening I joined my fellow governors, for a meeting at Golborne and Maxilla Children’s Centre under the Westway. This nursery provision has received an “excellent” rating from Ofsted which is down to the hard work and lovely atmosphere provided by the Head and the team.

As you may be aware the Chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady MP, has announced that he has received the requisite number of letters from the Parliamentary Party seeking a vote of confidence in the leader of the Conservative Party.

This vote of Conservative MPs is due to take place this evening between 6.00 and 8.00 p.m.

In response, this morning the Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party, Theresa May, made the following statement in Downing Street:

Sir Graham Brady has confirmed that he has received 48 letters from Conservative MPs so there will now be a vote of confidence in my leadership of the Conservative Party.

I will contest that vote with everything I’ve got.

I have been a member of the Conservative Party for over 40 years.

I have served it as an activist, councillor, MP, shadow minister, Home Secretary and now as Prime Minister.

I stood to be leader because I believe in the Conservative vision for a better future.

A thriving economy, with nowhere and nobody left behind.

A stronger society, where everyone can make the most of their talents.

Always serving the national interest.

And at this crucial moment in our history, that means securing a Brexit deal that delivers on the result of the EU referendum.

Taking back control of our borders, laws and money – but protecting jobs, our security and our precious Union as we do so.

Through good times and bad over the last two years, my passionate belief that such a deal is attainable, that a bright future lies ahead for our country, has not wavered.

And it is now within our grasp.

I spent yesterday meeting Chancellor Merkel, Prime Minister Rutte, President Tusk and President Juncker to address the concerns that MPs have with the backstop – and we are making progress.

I was due to travel to Dublin this afternoon to continue that work – but will now remain here in London to make the case for my leadership with my Parliamentary colleagues.

A change of leadership in the Conservative Party now will put our country’s future at risk and create uncertainty when we can least afford it.

A new Leader wouldn’t be in place by the 21 January legal deadline, so a leadership election risks handing control of the Brexit negotiations to opposition MPs in Parliament.

The new Leader wouldn’t have time to renegotiate a Withdrawal Agreement and get the legislation through Parliament by 29 March – so one of their first acts would have to be extending or rescinding Article 50, delaying – or even stopping – Brexit when people want us to get on with it.

And a leadership election would not change the fundamentals of the negotiation or the Parliamentary arithmetic.

Weeks spent tearing ourselves apart will only create more division, just as we should be standing together to serve our country.

None of that would be in the national interest.

The only people whose interests would be served are Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell.

The British people want us to get on with it. And they want us to focus on the other vital issues that matter to them too.

Building a stronger economy, delivering first-class public services and the homes that families need.

These are the public’s priorities – and they must be the Conservative Party’s priorities too.

We must – and we shall – deliver on the referendum vote and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.

But the Conservatives must not be a single-issue party; we are a party of the whole nation.

Moderate, pragmatic, mainstream: committed to re-uniting our country and building a country that works for everyone – the agenda I set out in my first speech outside this front door.

Delivering the Brexit people voted for.

Building a country that works for everyone.

I have devoted myself unsparingly to these tasks ever since I became Prime Minister.

And I stand ready to finish the job.