MP Chris Vince on Marks and Spencer: “Investment like this can only happen due to stability Labour govt has given to economy
Chris Vince / Tue 10th Mar 2026 at 05:29pm
HARLOW MP Chris Vince has welcomed the news that a new Marks and Spencer is set to come to the town next year.
Mr Vince said: “Of course I welcome jobs and employment in Harlow and congratulate those involved in making it happen.
“Investment like this can only happen due to the stability this Labour govt has given to the economy.”
Adam
2026-03-10 18:33:13
I would say in spite of, labour are destroying the economy.
Maureen
2026-03-10 18:39:11
Get lost Chris Vince. You must be joking. You had nothing to do with this. Truly pathetic how you try to ride on the backs of those that did the hard work. If you actually troubled to read the statements, the CEO of M&S, he states clearly that the determining factor was the commitment to town regeneration by Dan Swords, Council administration. No mention whatsoever of you or your pathetic government.
Mr George
2026-03-10 19:00:32
So is this an example of gaslighting about the economy? Come on Vince. Am a Labour supporter for the most part but don't talk rubbish to people. It's insulting and had enough of all that from the Tories. Maureen, if you actually troubled to read his comment, he actually congratulated all those who made it happen.
Pete
2026-03-10 19:07:14
One of the great things about Your Harlow is the ability to search on past articles. For example, one can read about labour's rejection of an M & S food hall in 2014. Or in 2024 when Dan pledged to bring M & S back to Harlow (we had a tory govt then). I commented then that I didn't think this pledge was made in isolation ie that M & S had probably been consulted. There were quite a few negatives from other parties. Now Chris is taking credit on behalf of the labour govt. Chris you say we have a stable govt (2 weeks ago you said petrol prices were reducing). We don't want a stable govt, we want a dynamic govt, one that drives us forward and sets the pace, not one that changes its mind every 5 minutes. It is disingenuous to take any credit for this,
David Forman
2026-03-10 19:19:27
Chris Vince should try reading the House of Commons Library research briefings. Their briefing from two weeks ago, "GDP international comparisons: Economic indicators", reports OECD data showing the G7 countries' average growth steady for the four quarters of 2025 averaging at 1.55% compared to the year before. By contrast the UK's growth goes backwards each quarter from 1.8% to 1.0%. France grew consistently each quarter from 0.7% to 1.1%. The USA's growth increased from 2.0% to 2.2%. It's no coincidence that unemployment is on the rise in the UK as well, especially so with regards to youth unemployment. Reuters News Agency reported last week: "Activity in Britain's construction sector contracted for the 14th month in a row in February, extending its longest downturn since the global financial crisis...". We know Vince was a former maths teacher, but we now know Vince knows very little about economics. See Reuters report at https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-construction-sector-extends-longest-run-decline-since-global-financial-crisis-2026-03-05/
David Forman
2026-03-10 19:30:15
A 'stable' government that has delivered 16 U-turns so far. More U-turns than Mr Magoo's driving school. Here is a handy list. See https://www.bromsgroveconservatives.org.uk/news/check-out-handy-list-labours-16-u-turns-so-far
Maureen
2026-03-10 19:31:23
Mr George, that does not include Chris Vince who had absolutely nothing to do with it. It was negotiated directly between M&S and Harlow Council. Wouldn't be surprised if the first Vince knew about it was when he read about on YH!
Wendy
2026-03-10 20:48:36
Let's face it, if Chris Vince had actually been involved in the negotiations with M&S, after meeting him with his natural 'eloquence' .... "You know ....You Know" , they would have run a mile!!! The man is an embarrassment to our constituency!
Graham
2026-03-10 21:18:52
How did you vote tonight Chris Vince on the motion to abolish our 800 year old right to trial by jury? You have no right to try to piggy back on the efforts of Dan Swords and his administration. When you were the aka our leader of the opposition on the Council you were useless. Now you are our useless MP.
Fernanda
2026-03-10 21:36:45
Chris Vince is beyond words. He is so out of his depth. Thank heavens we have Dan Swords running the Council. Vince is excess baggage for Harlow. Couldn't get a more ineffectual MP. A waste of space.
James
2026-03-10 22:34:32
Labour and Chris Vince are a joke. They have ruined this country and continue to do so daily. Well done Dan Swordes for all the work you do and putting Harlow first.
Matthew Saggers
2026-03-11 09:03:14
For Chris via your harlow. Question for Mr. Vince, former maths teacher about how he concludes that the government economic stability is helping harlow Changes since his government took over ⬆️ unemployment rate now 5.3% and rising ⬆️ Inflation up to 3.2% from 1.99% ⬆️ business rate tax ⬆️ NI tex ⬆️ number of people now paying tax due to tax band freeze ⬆️ car tax and ev charges ⬆️ Fuel price But things have come down too ⬇️ UK growth down .2 % on predicted ⬇️ labour market (job vacancies) ⬇️ lower income family take home pay. This is a direct opposite to how harlow is running working with businesses to help growth and create jobs. If nothing else, cllr Swords and the administration are keeping the construction industry going by a once in a generation regeneration programme on the size that Sir Gibberd did when building Harlow.
Marie
2026-03-11 09:11:31
It's a well paid position with a handsome pension, licking the backside of Starmer is part of the deal. You and your government are blind or sticking your heads in the sand . You and your government have trashed this country and treated the ppl of Britain like 2nd class citizens. If I were you I would go and bury your head where you normally do. Up the backside of Starmer. No body wants to listen to any of your flaff.
Marie
2026-03-11 09:51:12
By the way enjoy your £5000 pay increase. It's quite lucrative being an MP. Not earnt , nor deserved. considering your giving away taxpayers money to illegals hand over fist. £40,000 per family to leave Britain on top of everything else for free. You were a maths teacher so I'm sure you can add up, subtract and divide
KCH
2026-03-11 11:06:48
I was told many years ago (by an avid Labour supporter) that an MP was probably the only job that did not require any qualifications! How true. Totally agree with Fernando's comments above. What I really think of Chris Vince's comments are unprintable.
Val
2026-03-11 11:57:16
Check these two articles in the national press: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2180253/marks-spencer-reveal-plans-open https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/38452862/marks-spencer-new-flagship-store-uk-town/ Conclusive evidence that neither Chris Vince nor his limp government had anything to do with the M&S decision to return to Harlow and that it was entirely down to Harlow Council's programme led by Dan Swords. It really is a despicable performance by our non-entity but high expensive MP Chris Vince
Mike
2026-03-11 12:13:49
You know what Chris Vince, when you have nothing to say it is best to shut up instead of making yourself look a plonker as you invariably do.
David Forman
2026-03-11 14:14:59
For Graham's benefit, Chris Vince voted to curtail trial by jury. The Bill also increases the sentencing powers of Magistrates from 12 to 24 months. There is no automatic right of appeal from the Magistrates to the Crown Court. Instead of a complete re-hearing all you will get is a points of law assessment. The new Crown Bench Division will see a judge sitting alone hearing cases, even though Sir Brian Leveson argued for a judge and two magistrates. See vote at https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-03-10/division/716F1E68-CC3B-43A8-86A7-F2092F57D545/CourtsAndTribunalsBill?outputType=Names
Graham
2026-03-11 15:30:24
Absolutely disgraceful that this so-called representative for Harlow voted in favour of the biggest assault on our ancient rights. The right to trial by jury established under Magna Carta over 800 years and mirrored in Common Law systems of the great English speaking nations such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and USA has now been betrayed by the Mother of Parliaments. Never let Starmer and Vince espouse their devotion to human rights. They have none. The next government must commit to revoke this terrible, authoritarian legislation. Chris Vince, you a shameless Starmer sycophant. We want you gone.
Colleen Morrison
2026-03-11 16:26:42
Chris Vince MP, how dare you brag that your Labour government has brought stability to our poor country which is being so badly damaged and destabilised by your inept and reckless government. Like most of the people of UK, I am sickened by the price increases each time I do my shopping at the supermarket and when I read about the latest increases in unemployment. That's down to your government's reckless policies and its mindless taxes on jobs and on Britain's 5.5 million small companies.
Eli
2026-03-11 17:15:33
Colleen Morrison, not to mention the £billions of tax payer funds wasted recklessly in benefit payments to foreign nationals who have contributed nothing. How much could we invest in our sad, depleted Navy and armed forces? Disgusting. Vince should hold his head in shame.
george
2026-03-11 18:39:26
I have to say I agree with curtailing trial by Jury. I was called for Jury service, 2 weeks of indecision, half hour in a court but not selected (but then the defendant pleaded guilty so no-one was needed). When the existing system was established people hardly left their village, now most of the whole world is only 24 hours away. Whilst we are at it, bring probability and past record into the equation. So something Chris and I agree on (or was he voting for the party line)
Kim O'connor
2026-03-11 18:49:36
Oh dear, Chris anything more to say. 😄 🤣 😂
Colleen Morrison
2026-03-12 01:36:14
The list of this Labour Government's sleaze, scandals and policy U Turns grows daily. When the House of Commons was notified of disgraced Peter Mandelson's £75,000 pay-off, MPs were allowed just 23 minutes to scrutinise the 135 pages of obfuscations of Labour sleaze ,which is the report on Mandelson's appalling conduct and his sacking as US Ambassador. However, as Alex Burghart MP stated, he and 600 odd other MPs could smell the stink of the sleazy contents from space. Left and Right wing MPs were united in visceral disgust. And visceral disgust is what most of the people of Britain have been feeling since it was revealed, in the very early days of this administration, that the new Prime Minister and his cabinet ministers, this worst of all governments, were shockingly wallowing in hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of freebie gifts and cash from multi-millionaire donors. And "No", announced the Prime Minister, who proved to be the biggest snout in the trough, we will not be paying tax on our lovely, luxury freebies, aside from a couple of thousand that I will pay. He claimed it was all transparent and above board.
Colleen Morrison
2026-03-12 01:51:47
Yet how can such sleazy conduct be in accordance with the Ministerial Code, embedded in which are the Seven Nolan Principles of public office, the principles which bind every elected politician. The first two Nolan Principles are: "1 Selflessness: Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. 2 Integrity: Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships." In my opinion, many ministers of this government are in clear breach of the Nolan Principles and the Ministerial Code.
Pc
2026-03-12 12:32:11
Oh wow. I’ll be honest, I did vote labour in the last general election. But seeing the works in Harlow due to the conservative council has made me change back to conservative. Labour had nothing to do with this. At all.
Graham
2026-03-12 13:19:05
Pc is dead right. I voted for Reform at the last General election, but these local elections in May are just about Harlow and the performance of the conservatives under Dan Swords is truly impressive. He gets my vote to continue with the progress.
Caroline
2026-03-14 21:00:15
Is this a joke? What was your involvement in getting m&s back to Harlow? Please elaborate!! Im all ears……….??
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28 Comments for MP Chris Vince on Marks and Spencer: “Investment like this can only happen due to stability Labour govt has given to economy: