ross kempsell
@RossKempsell
Followers
4K
Following
1K
Media
49
Statuses
146
UK House of Lords š¬š§ former Director, Conservative Research Department
Joined September 2022
Labour Ministers told me it was ātoo early to speculateā about British Indian Ocean Territory ten days ago - then gave away sovereignty. This is not acceptable accountability to parliament. I am calling for a debate in parliament next week @Daily_Express .
0
781
3K
Nine days ago I asked Labour ministers (in parliament) to explain what was happening with British Indian Ocean Territory. They said: 'too early to speculate'. But they must have known - because today they gave up sovereignty. Thank you to my friend @IoWBobSeely for highlighting
0
791
3K
After a number of requests I am looking at the legal and legislative options to block or reverse Starmerās impending Chagos deal and am convening a brains trust on this - does not look promising as it stands but we have to try. Email: contactholmember@parliament.uk to help.
0
477
2K
Labour gave away sovereignty of British Indian Ocean Territory while parliament in recess - shielding PM / Foreign Sec from questions. But just days ago Ministers told me in parliamentary answer it was 'too early to speculate' what would happen. How can that have been the case?
0
475
1K
Sovereignty over British Indian Ocean Territory is, like it or not, a key element the UK brings to the table in its security partnership with the US. Starmer is rushing to junk it ahead of a presidency which would highly value it. Labour will never erase this from its record.
0
272
1K
I repeatedly raised the issue of British Indian Ocean Territory in parliament because I was suspicious the Labour Government was about to do exactly what it has announced today. Ministers declined to update parliament properly before taking this decision to give up sovereignty
0
397
1K
Mauritius sources tell me that prior to his Cabinet meeting this morning PM Ramgoolam met with a number of activists who advocate closing Diego Garcia altogether if /when sovereignty is transferred to Mauritius. This should be a major red flag for the Labour government and the US.
0
344
1K
I called on the government to immediately exempt all Armed Forces families from its plan to put VAT on school fees. But Ministers refused. The Government is affecting service families with this policy and must change course. The campaign continues.
0
252
1K
A number of well informed American confidants of President Trump told me in the past two days that Starmerās Chagos deal is off the table as far as the US is concerned, POTUS is apprised of the details. Important to keep a watching brief, but if so, crucial outcome.
0
213
1K
āI don't think we should be too worried about losing that bit of territory (Chagos). We're probably losing more to tidal erosion than thatā - The UKās Labour *National Security Adviser* working to cede British sovereign territory. In Moscow and Beijing theyāre laughing at us.
0
234
1K
Labour's Chagos sellout is collapsing - Mauritius refuses to sign after Cabinet meeting this morning, sending negotiators back to London, presumably to bid up the price to UK taxpayers even more
0
236
858
Mauritius is in the Africa Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty. It establishes a nuclear weapons free zone in states including Mauritius. This will be used to challenge US nukes transiting Diego Garcia when UK loses sovereignty under Labourās deal, whatever it says. Wake up Starmer.
0
247
837
Forget about embossed stationery - your VAT policy is affecting thousands of UK military families whose children receive support for private education as their parents are serving - but youāre whacking them with this tax. Please exempt them now as I have asked for in parliament?.
Our state schools need teachers more than private schools need embossed stationery. Our children need mental health support more than private schools need new pools. Our students need careers advice more than private schools need AstroTurf pitches.
0
135
757
UK govt will pay Ā£90mn a year to Mauritius for Diego Garcia and frontload payments (FT/Bloomberg). I asked for exact costs and details in October. Labour replied they would keep it secret. This is wrong - parliament should compel publication of the full costs and draft treaty
46
224
698
Thousands of military children get support for private school fees because Armed Forces deployments disrupt education. But the Government plans to tax these families with its VAT plan. Military children must be made exempt - read about my campaign here >>.
0
201
601
Mauritius government has set a special cabinet meeting for 1030am Port Louis tomorrow (15th) which would be 0630 UK time - to sign off Chagos deal . Sources around negotiations telling me that Mauritius asked for a 50 year lease only on Diego Garcia, not 99 and UK may have caved.
1
275
592
Labour is whacking UK Armed Forces families that send their children to boarding schools. Their VAT plan will affect thousands of service families - those deployed right now on operations. Ministers must change course. Thanks to @Daily_Express for backing my campaign
0
283
568
Labour is shifting a significant degree of power into the hands of a small and longstanding friendship network of highly intelligent and ideological lawyers (Starmer, Sands, Hermer) - many of whom long operated outside Labour politics. This is new and probably electorally toxic.
0
182
568
How can the UK government agree to give Mauritius Ā£9 billion with the current worsening fiscal position and bond market situation? . The Treasury should refuse to sign off this giveaway cash for Mauritius and tell the FCDO/NSA to stuff it - cannot be allowed on balance sheet.
UK govt will pay Ā£90mn a year to Mauritius for Diego Garcia and frontload payments (FT/Bloomberg). I asked for exact costs and details in October. Labour replied they would keep it secret. This is wrong - parliament should compel publication of the full costs and draft treaty
0
129
376
- axing Latin in state schools .- cutting computing and languages.- crippling private swimming lesson industry with VAT.- excluding those on the margin of being in private school with VAT. Labour waging all out war on the aspirational middle class in favour of the wealthiest.
0
85
373
UK agreed with US in 1966 that Diego Garcia would be available for US military use for at least 70 years (2036). Starmer's deal would clearly conflict with many provisions in this bilateral agreement. So it is highly unlikely Labour's sellout can happen without US approval
0
134
384
I have continually raised Labour's Chagos surrender in Parliament since August 2024. Back then, Labour told me 'it was too early to speculate' on the sellout. Days later the Govt announced the decision to surrender UK territory. I was misled. This shameful nonsense continued >š§µ
1
131
364
Reeves facing rocketing borrowing costs, pound whacked - city headlines this morning compare UK position to 1976 debt crisis . Starmer must immediately abandon the 9 BILLION gbp (90m / year 99 years) it is about to *give* to Mauritius for Chagos. UK canāt afford it, sorry.
0
112
342
Government concealed its public consultation about putting VAT on school fees - sneakily burying it on p.21 of a Treasury technical note they thought no one would read. I did, and replied with a submission arguing all military families MUST be exempt from this senseless tax >>>
1
117
293
I asked the Government whether the children of UK military personnel who receive sponsorship for private education will be exempted from its VAT hike. Ministers are refusing to answer. These families deserve urgent clarification.
0
110
268
Starmer will delay Chagos deal for US approval (per FT). Given my understanding of Trump team views, it is highly likely to be blocked. After an inauguration, PM and President always call to re-agree security commitments. Trump could block it then. Starmer will then blame Trump.
0
55
259
Labour's plan to put VAT on private school fees will not help pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds - it will do the opposite. In the King's Speech debate I asked Labour ministers not to pull up the ladder
0
39
235
As well as axing Latin in state schools Labour has scrapped funding for computing hubs - they improve uptake of computing in state schools - run by the National Centre for Computing Education (backed by Microsoft, Raspberry Pi, Cambridge). This is socially exclusionary vandalism.
0
59
180
The Government choosing to parlay the horrific Southport attack into a crackdown on online shopping and opportunity for social media regulation risks going down as a major failure to read the public mood and demonstrate empathy with real public anxiety - let alone provide answers.
0
50
147
Labour must exempt military families from their plan to put VAT on private school fees - they rely on these schools when deployed. I wrote directly to Chancellor @RachelReevesMP ahead of the imminent Budget - it would be easy to announce and give clarity.
0
42
143
Reevesās announcement of Ā£600m / year over five years (Ā£120m / yr) (something like 0.004% of UK gdp) seems underwhelming for such a major and highly prioritised delegation to China led by a Chancellor - previous administrations have delivered Ā£bns in economic benefits for the UK.
0
40
142
If the UK taxpayer is forced to pay Ā£90 million / 99yrs (maybe frontloaded) to Mauritius as part of Starmerās Chagos deal, that is Ā£8.91bn over the term or $11.3 billion USD - roughly the amount of Reevesā fiscal headroom swallowed by bond market turmoil. The UK taxpayerās annual.
0
42
115
Department for Education data shows Labour education ministers didnāt bother to visit a *single failing state school* in five months after coming to office - not even one rated below good or outstanding - and no special educational needs schools.
0
28
100
*Campaign win* - revealed in Budget doc (p.130). Military families WILL be effectively exempt from govt's VAT on school fees with an uplift allowance from Jan, quicker than hinted. This remains a wrong, divisive policy but I'm glad the govt has listened and u-turned on this bit
1
24
97
Very encouraging news that the Government may take military families out of private schools VAT - for which I have been campaigning . Questions remain - this must be implemented at Budget, not wait for SR, and if this not an exemption (but a rebate or change to CEA), it will be.
EXCL - Military families will be exempt from VAT on private school fees. They are expected to get extra cash to cover the tax hike.
0
17
97
Labour today is very different from the Blair project - a great spot from Charles Moore
0
31
90
The very latest from the floor of the US Senate: Starmer's Chagos deal going down stunningly badly, as spirited remarks of Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) show. The extent to which Labour has totally humiliated the UK in the US so quickly is just extraordinary
0
30
89
šØ šØ possible campaign victory tonight - VERY encouraged to see this briefing from HMT regarding the possible exemption of military families from Labourās VAT on school fees. I hope to speak to the relevant minister tomorrow to confirm this .
0
13
83
Labour should get ahead of Trump potentially cancelling their Chagos deal by junking it themselves now ā enough diplomatic capital has been wasted. This would regain credibility with incoming US administration and is properly a UK decision for PM @CapX.
0
15
75
Accelerate the rollout of game changing technologies in the public sector - and we can radically improve public services. I recommended reading when debating productivity in the UK Parliament @s8mb @bswud @SCP_Hughes
0
7
71
The government must exempt military families from its tax on education - time is running out. I am glad some Labour ministers agree with my campaign - the Chancellor should listen to the Defence Secretary . @Daily_Express today
0
20
58
US stocks had their fifth best single-day gain in market cap ever thanks to a decisive Trump victory. America is entering a new golden age. But the UK is busy disinviting American investors to summits. The government must change tack. Me for @Telegraph.
0
17
58
For too many voters, the Conservative Party appears irrelevant / looks all over the place - to win, the party must stop flailing around, stop binning leaders, and become more focused, campaigning on the issues that matter most to voters - my message at #CPC24 @Policy_Exchange
0
9
49
I was pleased that the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury called me today to discuss my campaign to immediately exempt our heroic military families from the govtās plan to impose VAT on private school fees 1/.
1
7
48
1,000 state school pupils in years 10 and 11 doing GCSE Latin have to drop their course or teach themselves as govt pulls funding in the middle of the academic year. Labour is massively entrenching privilege and social and educational exclusion
0
26
46
I asked when civil service office attendance data will resume - it was regularly published under previous Governments. Ministers refused to commit to publishing it - they will update on their plans in 'due course'. 'In due course' often translates as 'never'
0
26
40
The Chancellor says more tax will be levied at the Budget. But some tax hikes will cost more than money. Labourās plan to charge military families 20% VAT on school fees means troops could leave. Service families must be made exempt now. Me @PoliteiaUK.
0
7
33
2/ In November, the Government refused to answer when I asked how much any lease on Diego Garcia would cost the UK taxpayer. The minister suggested they'd only publish the cost if compelled to do so in Parliament. Good idea
1
7
33
3/ In November I also received no details when I asked about what consultations had been held with Chagossians. It subsequently transpired consultations were minimal at best and many Chagossians oppose Labour's deal
2
7
32
6/ In December the government also declined to give any details of discussions it had with Chagossians
0
7
29
4/ Earlier in September I asked what assessment had been made of the security impact - again I was told it was too early to speculate on timelines or conclusions - but the negotiations were patently well underway in secret . Parliamentarians should have been told the details
1
7
29
5/ In December I asked whether a treaty process would take place in 2025. The Government confirmed it would use CRAG and bring forward a bill to enact various elements (probably to do with nationality issues)
1
6
28
If markets continue to slide as they are this morning then the UK govt will be forced into some kind of fiscal policy reversal - regardless of what HMT ministers say . It will be very revealing to see how Labour handles priorities on this and timing, and who is put up to explain.
0
8
24
HMT handled its consultation on school fees VAT particularly poorly - it certainly falls below HMG's own standards on consultation, last revised in 2018. Ministers should update the consultation principles - see a recent question I asked on this issue:
0
4
21
Todayās the day - I wrote to Chancellor @RachelReevesMP earlier this month and met with @jamesmurray_ldn asking that military families are made exempt from VAT on school fees at this Budget. I hope ministers will give that certainty to thousands of military families today!
0
4
20
It was an honour to meet @ZelenskyyUa again in Kyiv at this crucial time. The heroism of the Ukrainian people is inspiring - as is the President's leadership. Ukraine will win šŗš¦
0
1
21
Thank you - Iāll continue to campaign to ensure military families are made exempt from Labourās proposed VAT on school fees.
@grantshapps @RossKempsell Thank you Ross for speaking in debate last night. I was in gallery, you spoke passionately for military families. Baroness Smith didnāt even have the decency to sit and listen to you. She was shuffling papers and reading notes. Shameful behaviour & way to treat military families!.
0
0
17
It was exceptionally moving to visit staff and wounded Ukrainian veterans at the Pinchuk Recovery Centre in Kyiv with @BorisJohnson . The very real sacrifice made by Ukrainians for our security cannot be underestimated. The UK must remain in maximum solidarity with Ukraine
0
5
19
I welcome the government's move to uplift support for military families hit by the imposition of VAT on school fees in today's #Budget2024 - a divisive and regressive policy. The details on the uplift are still to play out and will need to be carefully monitored
0
1
19
2/ There are still technical questions about how this will be implemented and the details and timing of CEA recalculation - and this info should be made public immediately - that said, it is better than no mitigation being put in place at all.
1
3
10
Local media reports this morning confirm Mauritius cabinet meeting now on Chagos. āWill agreement between Mauritius and UK be concluded today? A special council of ministers chaired by PM Ramgoolam is meeting today on the thorny deal to be finalisedā
0
11
14
Under Starmer the UK is at risk of losing its global leadership on Ukraine - reports sadly suggest Kyiv feels the same. I was glad to see the Financial Assistance to Ukraine Bill complete its passage today - but Ministers must take the lead in 2025 - a critical year for Ukraine
0
2
14
Thanks to @theipaper for highlighting potential movement from the govt to exempt military families from VAT on school fees - as I have been campaigning on. Hoping for a good result at the Budget - let's hope these families will be protected - effective immediately
0
1
10
UK govt should immediately explore ways it can roll out @OpenAIās Operator to accelerate / kill laborious public sector processes such as form filling etc. But I guess not as theyāre shouting about introducing a digital wallet, an idea Apple launched in 2015 (progress tho).
0
0
14
Despite what I feel is an unnecessary delay until the SR - I related the concern this is causing to military families - I feel we are getting somewhere here and I will continue to impress the concerns of families on the government. We live in hope 4/.
0
1
11
No deal on Chagos yet ! contrary to media speculation the deal would be announced today
0
2
10
I urged the Minister to make the timeline clear and to exempt military families now, without delay, whether they are in receipt of CEA or not 3/.
1
1
9
It was certainly constructive to hear that the Treasury is clearly aware of the importance of Continuity of Education Allowance and is working closely with officials to consider how the Government will respond 2/.
1
1
7
3/ I give credit where it is due to @jamesmurray_ldn for engaging with me on this campaign and for listening to my representations on behalf of military families.
0
1
6