Windsor
Rankin was then selected as the candidate for Windsor in September 2023 [15] in what was described as a "gruelling process". [16] He was subsequently elected as the Member of Parliament for Windsor at the 2024 general election,winning 36.4% of the vote and a majority of 6,457. [17]
In September 2023,Rankin was accused of sharing transphobic social media posts after describing LGBTQ rights charity Stonewall as "dangerous" and criticised public and corporate funding of the organisation. [18] Rankin defended his comments saying he opposes discrimination against LGBTQ people,but that "a number of organisations have been pushing a politically contentious agenda in schools,an agenda that tells children they may have been 'born in the wrong body' and promotes the permanent and irreversible medical and surgical treatments to children."
In April 2024,he described the UK as in a "pre-war environment" and called for the UK to re-arm. [19]
Rankin gave his maiden speech on 22 October 2024,during a debate in the Commons on the Commonwealth of Nations. [20] During his speech,Rankin spoke of key issues in the constituency including a third runway at Heathrow and flooding,as well as sharing the history of the constituency through a constitutional focus,touching on Windsor Castle,Magna Carta and the Commonwealth [20] . He said he would fight for the principles:"a belief in the rule of law,parliamentary democracy,freedom of speech,property rights,and innocent until proven guilty by a jury of our peers,all built on a shared constitutional heritage" in his time in Parliament. [20]
Representing both Ascot and Royal Windsor racecourses within his constituency,on 24 October 2024,Rankin raised the significant local employment created by both venues and "millions" generated for the local economy as reasons why proposed further regulation on customers would do damage to his constituency. [21] Subsequently,in February 2025,two local news stories appeared in quick succession regarding Rankin's parliamentary contribution on British horseracing and the gambling industry,where he spoke about Ascot and Royal Windsor racecourses, [22] [23] for which he is their parliamentary representative. The stories contained no opposing quotes and Rankin was thanked by both constituency racecourses for visiting them,and standing up for their employees during an uncertain period for the industry. [23] [22] In Bracknell News, Rankin was quoted as saying "I proudly and unashamedly continue to stand up for the fantastic Ascot and Royal Windsor racecourses in my constituency,that is me doing my job,regardless of any attempt to skew my clear motives for doing so". [24]
Reacting to the 2024 budget,Rankin attacked Chancellor Rachel Reeves for "chucking money at an unreformed public sector while ballooning public sector pay",and the Cabinet for their "distinct lack of real world,private sector experience." [25]
In October 2024,it was confirmed with 24-hours' notice that The Manor Hotel in the village of Datchet within his constituency would be used as accommodation due to the "high number of arrivals across the channel". [26] Rankin wrote urgently to the Home Secretary,Yvette Cooper to oppose this decision,following up with two oral questions in the House of Commons chamber. [27] In January 2025,he hosted a Westminster Hall debate on asylum hotels,stating that "we,collectively,are the fools for putting a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow—we need to remove it. [28] "
In November 2024,Rankin started a petition against potential closure of the Windsor post office. [29]
Rankin was placed on the public bill committee for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in January 2025. [30] Sharing his views on the Bill in The Spectator ,Rankin said his party should be "remembering that the Conservative Party has traditionally stood for individual liberty,personal responsibility and the free market" saying that the Bill "flies in the face of all these principles". [31]
In January 2025,Rankin raised concerns at the government's changes to employer National Insurance contributions,specifically regarding Thames Hospice and Thames Valley Air Ambulance which provide services within his constituency. [32]
Speaking at Home Office oral question time,Rankin highlighted the "ticking time bomb" posed by Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK,which he said could cost the British state "more than £61 billion." [33]
After the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council announced its budgetary plans to increase Council tax by 25%, [34] Rankin began a campaign,calling on the government to reject the rise. [35] Following local campaigning by Conservative Councillors [36] and the TaxPayers' Alliance, [37] the government announced it would only allow the Council to raise Council tax by 8.99%. [38]
