Conor’s first speech in the House of Commons sought to defend our area’s English language schools. Under threat from visa changes Conor drew attention to the jobs they created, the extra money going into households who host foreign students as well as the overall positive impact to the local economy - which a Bournemouth University report says is worth over £200 million a year.
Conor led the campaign to persuade the Government to change direction and introduce the Extended Student Visitor Visa. He brought delegations from local language schools to the Home Office to talk to Ministers and garnered crossparty support from other MPs. In the end the Government responded to the pressure and introduced the new Visa arrangements.
Mike Francis MBE the Managing Director of the Westbourne Academy – a large local language school – said, “Conor was a determined champion of our cause. He lobbied unstintingly for local English language schools. Many people, not least the host families who take in our students, are very grateful for Conor’s support in Westminster.”