Hello and welcome to my blog
 
This is going to be my little corner of the website to let you know what’s going on with me and keep you up to date with some of the things that the council group are getting up to.

So who am I?
 
I am the Leader of the Conservative party in Harlow, and the Leader of Harlow Council. I was elected leader in June 2008, so it’s still all a little new to me. I have been a councillor for 10 years, so I have a good amount of experience about how the council works, or at some times doesn't!

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As a Harlow boy (my family have lived here for over 50 years) I was very proud to be made the Leader, this town means a lot to me, and lots of my family live here. I want to see Harlow become a really successful town and not be the butt of people jokes.
 
I am married with a wonderful 2 1/2 year old, and I live in Church Langley.
 
So that’s me - I look forward to telling you more in the coming weeks and months.

In the meantime if you have questions, just ask.
 

Check out Rob's Blog or his Website

Cllr Linda Pailing joins Conservatives see video below

Harlow Constituency is an amazing place and I am proud - and privileged - to have the chance to represent constituents, across Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. 
 
Whilst I was born down the road in North London, my relative owned John Waters Clothes Shop that was in Westgate for many years and opened up by Arthur Aske in the 1950s.
 
Every day I receive letters, emails and phone messages from local people asking me for assistance or offering their views on issues of the day. As your Prospective MP, I do my best to help all those who contact me and work closely with local volunteers, councillors and others to try and solve difficult problems.   Read more
 
For many years, I have - and continue to - work unpaid (without any expenses) for local people and have been lucky to have the help of some amazing volunteers who care deeply about this constituency and want to make Harlow and the surrounding villages an even better place to live. I do this because I care deeply about our town and believe that people deserve better.  Everyone asks me, why do they pay such high taxes, yet public services remain patchy?
 
One of the best things about Harlow is its wonderful community spirit and I really enjoy being involved in community activities. I work closely with the Harlow Homeless Centre (Streets to Homes) as its Patron and also other organisations like Harlow Alzheimers Society. In 2009, I hope to do my second sponsored swim (over two hours non stop), for the ALzheimers Society. Last time we raised nearly £4,000 so this will be a tough target to beat!
 
As a Parish Councillor in Roydon, I get a good understanding of village issues, and well understand the anguish felt by villagers about the Government's plans to build hundreds of buildings all over the countryside, as well as the imposition of extra Traveller's sites.
 
In Harlow, housing and anti social behaviour are the issues people contact me most about, although there is also real worry felt about the chaos in the immigration system.  There is also much frustration about the ever increasing traffic and thats why I started a campaign over a year ago called www.fedupwithharlowtraffic.com, which is calling for an extra by-pass (junction 7a) on the M11, to relieve our tremendous traffic problems.  
 
Living in Harlow Constituency, we are all very lucky. We have everything here, good shops, great restaurants, a beautiful town park, the countryside on our doostep and London just 35 minutes away by train.  We are also blessed with having some of the most beautiful sites in Essex.  Who wouldn't agree that Parndon Mill together with the canals and boats is one of the most picturesque - and romantic - spot in the County. 
 
Sometimes people ask me, so Rob, are you just a boring politician or do you have any other interests?  Well, like so many residents, I love football and I go to Harlow Town F.C. occasionally, although I am a staunch Chelsea supporter (my late Grandad used to take me when I was a kid). I am quite proud that it was Harlow boy Glen Hoddle that not only did so much for Spurs, but was the man who began to turn Chelsea into a top club.
 
Apart from football, I love clocks and watches - a regular at Evershed family watch shop in the Harvey Centre! As my friends will tell you, I am a curry fan - and we are really lucky that from Old harlow to the Stow, to Roydon, there are plenty of great curry houses!  I read loads of books and adore the countryside. We are so lucky to be surrounded by beautiful greenery.  Like many, I enjoy travel too.  I was privileged to go to Rwanda in the summer to teach English - a moving and wonderful experience.
 
Anyway, it would be good to hear from you. If you would like to contact me please email : halfon4harlow@roberthalfon.com