Welcome to this week's newsletter!
This week saw Remembrance Day on 11 November. On the preceding Sunday I was honoured to attend the Battle Remembrance ceremony and later lay a wreath at the Bexhill War Memorial. Earlier in the week I was also pleased to visit the Royal British Legion’s ‘Poppy Car’ and the Commonwealth War Graves. You can read more about my local visits in this week’s Bexhill & Battle Observer column linked below.
On Remembrance Day itself, Parliament fell silent in a shared moment of gratitude for the Armed Forces personnel who gave their lives in service to our country. I joined the Speaker for the annual Remembrance service in Westminster Hall, and crosses were laid earlier in the week in the Gardens of Remembrance for each constituency. I reflected deeply on the sacrifices made by those who served, their families, and those who continue to protect our freedoms today.
As the festive season approaches, I’m pleased to say that my Christmas Card Competition public vote is now open. Residents can choose their favourite design by liking it on my Facebook post or completing the short survey on my website – see the article for all the details!
Representing the Opposition at Justice Orals this week, I challenged Ministers on Labour’s Sentencing Bill, which will see serious offenders – including rapists, child groomers, and knife criminals – serving drastically shorter sentences. After Ministers failed to explain these reductions, I made clear that I will continue to hold the Government to account for this worrying shift in our justice system, which will see 60% of rapists and 90% of child groomers serve shorter sentences.
Early this week, I raised urgent questions with Southern Water after large numbers of bio-beads washed up on our coastline, posing a serious risk to the local ecology and marine environment. I wrote to the Chief Executive seeking clarity on how the spill occurred, what actions are being taken to clean it up, and what measures will prevent this from happening again.
Following concerns about the Home Office’s plans to use the Crowborough Training Grounds to house illegal migrants, Nus Ghani, Mims Davies, and I are continuing to hold Wealden Council to account for its failure to robustly challenge this inappropriate proposal. With key questions still unanswered, we have co-signed a further letter demanding clarity, and I encourage residents to read it in full and sign Nus Ghani’s petition.
Last week, I chaired a Retail Crime meeting for over 40 Bexhill businesses to discuss the rise in shoplifting and aggressive behaviour, giving owners the chance to speak directly to the police. We will work together to ensure offenders are identified, punished, and kept out of shops. Many thanks to the De La Warr Pavilion for hosting the meeting.
It was a pleasure to attend Battle’s 379th Bonfire Night, organised by the historic Battel Bonfire Boyes, the country’s oldest bonfire society. Dating back to 1646, the event showcased Battle’s rich heritage.
Earlier in the month, I visited Mountfield Heath School, a specialist SEND school supporting autistic children with additional needs, to learn more about the vital provision they offer. Meeting their dedicated team highlighted the importance of such schools in helping each child thrive, grow, and reach their full potential.
I enjoyed attending the Hooe Village Community Group’s monthly coffee morning at St Oswald’s, meeting residents and discussing local issues such as the Family Farm Tax and NHS matters. Many thanks to the organisers for hosting another lovely event and, as always, the cake was fantastic!
The Heart of Sidley is hosting its annual Festive Light Switch on Friday 28 November, starting with the lights going on outside the New Inn from 4 - 4:30pm. The celebrations continue with a family-friendly event at Freedom Church from 5 - 7pm, offering activities for all ages and a chance to enjoy festive cheer with friends and neighbours.
Sidley Cricket Club provides a vital space for young people to build confidence, develop teamwork, and enjoy positive role models while welcoming the wider community. The club is seeking to raise £60,000 for essential improvements, including a new electricity connection, expanded parking, and an all-weather pitch. Donations via their Crowdfunder will make a real difference - see the article for links and details.
I have been supporting Little Common and Old Town Surgeries in their plans for a new, state-of-the-art facility at Barnhorn Green, which will increase capacity, improve access, and support GP training. Patients are invited to share their views in the consultation, open until Sunday 30 November.
RunningSpace is offering free nationally recognised Suicide First Aid: Lite training on Monday 1 December, from 9:30am to 1:00pm at The Pelham, in partnership with Grassroots and East Sussex County Council. Anyone interested can join by emailing [email protected] with their name, email, postcode, and any learning requirements.
Finally, please see the end of the newsletter for up-to-date information on local road closures as provided by third parties.
Warm wishes.
This week's newsletter:
- Remembrance Day Memorial in Battle & RBL Poppy Car in Bexhill
- Remembrance Day & Parliament's Constituency Garden of Remembrance
- Christmas Card Competition! Votes Now Open
- Shadow Role - Justice Oral Questions
- Update on Bio-Bead Spill by Southern Water
- Update on Crowborough Asylum Site
- Retail Crime Group Meeting
- Battle Bonfire Night
- Mountfield Heath Special School Visit
- Hooe Village Community Group Coffee Morning
- Heart of Sidley Festive Light Switch & Family Event
- Sidley Cricket Fundraising
- Little Common Medical Centre Patient Survey
- Suicide First Aid Training
- Local Road Closures
Remembrance Day Memorial in Battle & RBL Poppy Car in Bexhill
It was a great honour to represent you all at Battle Remembrance ceremony last Sunday and to later lay a wreath at Bexhill War Memorial.
I know each and every one of my constituents owes so much to those that paid the ultimate price for our freedom and sovereignty.
Thank you to all those involved in Remembrance services across the constituency. It is always great to see so many young people taking part.
Whilst in the constituency last weekend I headed down to Bexhill seafront to see the Royal British Legions 'Poppy Car'. This was a great way to raise money for veterans, while also providing a beautiful art display.
I was also pleased to take the opportunity in the days before to visit the Commonwealth War Graves.
If you would like to read more about my visits locally take a look at my column for the Bexhill & Battle Observer this week.
Remembrance Day & Parliament's Constituency Garden of Remembrance
November 11th marked Remembrance Day.
Parliament, usually full of noise and movement, fell silent as we marked a moment of unity across all parties, a shared recognition of the debt we owe to the members of our Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to our country.
I joined the Speaker of the House of Commons for the annual Remembrance service in Westminster Hall, after visiting the Garden of Remembrance.
As part of Remembrance Day, Parliament dedicated the Gardens for crosses to be placed in front of each of the 650 MP constituencies.
This marks the fifth year that the event has been led by the Speaker of the House. It is a symbol our shared remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of democracy.
It is an honour to represent our constituency of Bexhill & Battle, and lay a cross in the Gardens of Remembrance.
I have thought deeply of all those who gave their lives for our freedom, the families who suffered losses, and those who continue to serve today.
Christmas Card Competition! Votes Now Open
Christmas Card Competition – Public Vote Now Open!
You can take part in two ways:
- By liking your favourite design on my Facebook post – each like will count as one vote. You can find the post here.
- Or by completing the short survey on my website linked here.
The design with the most votes will feature on my official Christmas card this year and will be sent to His Majesty the King! Thank you to everyone who submitted such wonderful entries, and good luck to our shortlisted finalists.
This year’s finalists are: Amelie and Harry from St Mary Magdalene, Jack from Bodiam C of E Primary, Poppy from Pebsham Primary, and Elsie, Thea, and Abigail from Chantry Community Primary.
Voting closes Friday 21st November.
Shadow Role - Justice Oral Questions
Last month, the Labour Government voted in favour of the Sentencing Bill - legislation that will see the most serious offenders serve shorter prison sentences. These offenders include rapists, paedophiles, murderers, and child sex offenders.
Last week, the Minister for Violence Against Women and Girls appeared unaware of this fact. This week, I questioned the Victims Minister on what proportion of rapists and child groomers will see their prison time reduced as a result of the Bill.
When the Minister failed to answer, I informed the House that an astonishing 60% of rapists and 90% of child groomers will have their prison time cut.
Despite Labour’s tough talk on tackling knife crime, this same Bill will allow offenders convicted of knife-related crimes to be released after serving just one-third of their sentence.
I do not believe that those who voted Labour at the last election support such drastic reductions in sentences for society’s most dangerous criminals.
I will continue to challenge Labour on this era-defining change to our justice system. This is a change that is not a short-term measure to relieve prison pressures, but a fundamental redefinition of our criminal justice framework.
Update on Bio-Bead Spill by Southern Water
I was deeply concerned to learn that Southern Water is responsible for the large number of bio-beads washing up on our shores.
This is completely unacceptable – the potential damage to the local ecology and marine environment is extremely serious.
To seek answers, I wrote to Southern Water’s Chief Executive, Lawrence Gosden, requesting clarification on the following points:
1. How did the spill of bio-beads occur?
2. When did Southern Water first become aware of the possible spill, and what actions were taken once it was confirmed?
3. What comprehensive plan is in place to clean up the bio-beads while minimising further environmental harm?
4. What measures will Southern Water implement to ensure such an incident never happens again?
I will soon be able to share Southern Water's response with you.
Update on Crowborough Asylum Site
In my previous newsletter I had an article about the Home Office's plans to use the Crowborough Training Grounds as a place to house illegal migrants.
As local MPs Nus Ghani, Mims Davies MP and I are holding Wealden Council to account for their failure to robustly challenge plans for housing hundreds of males at a totally inappropriate site in Crowborough, just across the border from Bexhill & Battle Constituency.
As Wealden Council did not adequately answer our questions, I have co-signed another letter demanding clear answers on the situation and Wealden Council's challenging of this decision.
Nus and her team are doing a fantastic job in detailed scrutiny of what has gone on. Residents must come before political ideology to support de facto open borders.
You can read the letter in full on Facebook here.
Also, if you haven't already make sure to sign Nus Ghani's petition on her website linked here
Retail Crime Group Meeting
Last week, I chaired a meeting on Retail Crime for Bexhill businesses who have been suffering from an increase in shoplifting.
It was a great opportunity for shop and business owners to talk directly to the police.
Over 40 businesses attended and shared their experiences and frustration at persistent offenders, aggressive and intimidatory behaviour and how they deal with these issues.
We won't fix this overnight but there are things we can do and we will be working together to ensure the police have the evidence they need and then it’s over to them to make sure offenders are punished and kept out of shops.
Thank you to the De La Warr Pavilion for hosting the meeting.
Battle Bonfire Night
It was great to attend Battle's 379th Bonfire night!
The evening was organised by the Battel Bonfire Boyes, who are the oldest bonfire society in the country!
The earliest record of a bonfire taking place in the town was in 1646, when St Mary's Church allocated 2 shillings and 6 pence in funds for gunpowder treason rejoicing.
Battel Bonfire Boyes clearly has a long and rich history steeped in this tradition, as does Battle.
For those who weren't able to make it for the evening, you can see a little taster in the video linked above.
Mountfield Heath Special School Visit
It was a great pleasure to visit Mountfield Heath School last Friday to find out more about the specialist educational provision they offer. This is a private SEND school which caters for autistic children between the ages of 5 and 11 who may have a range of additional needs.
I know there are a wide range of learning needs that need to be met within our education system and there will always be children for whom main stream education will not work at some or all stages in their education.
We have a mix of public and private provision locally and across the UK and mixed provision is needed given the diversity of need. Therefore, schools like Mountfield Heath are extremely important in providing that highly specialist provision to help each child in its care to thrive, grow and learn.
It was really inspiring to meet their team of dedicated and highly-skilled staff who work hard to help them to prepare for the next stages in their lives so they can reach their full potential.
Hooe Village Community Group Coffee Morning
I was pleased to pop along to the Hooe Village Community Groups' coffee morning last weekend.
They are a lovely group, meeting for coffee mornings monthly at the Church of St Oswald's, as well as putting on lots of other events.
While there I spoke with constituents about a range of issues, including the ongoing effects of the Family Farm Tax and the NHS more broadly.
Thank you to those who put on this lovely community coffee morning each month - as usual, amazing cake!
Heart of Sidley Festive Light Switch & Family Event
Join the community for the Heart of Sidley's annual Festive Light Switch on Friday 28 November!
- 4 - 4:30pm: Festive Light Switch outside The New Inn – watch the lights go on and kick off the season
- 5 - 7pm: Family Festive Event at Freedom Church – fun activities for all ages and a chance to meet neighbours
It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the start of the festive season, enjoy some local cheer, and spend time with friends and family!
Sidley Cricket Club Fundraising
Sidley Cricket Club is an important local organisation who have created a great environment for people of all ages.
Perhaps most importantly though, the club is a space that encourages young people to build confidence, find positive role models, and engage in teamwork, offering a direct, positive alternative to the issues in their immediate vicinity.
Sidley Cricket Club has been in touch with me to request assistance in raising up to £60,000 for three vital facility enhancements. Donations will be going towards:
- New Mains Electricity Connection (£40,000): Moving away from costly, noisy generators to allow for floodlights and extended, year-round youth training and community use.
- Expanded Car Parking (£12,000): Improving accessibility and inclusivity (especially for disabled visitors) and alleviating local congestion.
- Artificial Cricket Pitch (£8,000): Providing a consistent, all-weather surface to maximise playing opportunities, particularly for junior teams, throughout the year
If you are able to donate any money towards the club, I know if will make a huge difference, and ensure that this space can continue to be used to its most.
Please find the Crowdfunder link here to donate.
Please find more information on their Facebook post here.
Little Common Medical Centre Patient Survey
I have been supporting Little Common and Old Town Surgeries in pushing forward their plans for a new state-of-the-art facility at Barnhorn Green for some time now.
These modern premises will help increase capacity, improve patient access, and create opportunities to train more GPs, strengthening local healthcare for the long term.
The surgeries are now consulting patients on their thoughts for the new practice, and I encourage everyone to take part and share their views via this link.
It is open until Sunday 30 November.
Suicide First Aid Training
RunningSpace is hosting Suicide First Aid: Lite training on Monday, 1st December, from 9:30am to 1:00pm at The Pelham.
In partnership with Grassroots and East Sussex County Council, they are offering this important, nationally recognised training completely free to anyone living in East Sussex.
If you’d like to join, please email [email protected] with the following details:
- First name
- Surname
- Email address
- Postcode
- Any learning requirements the trainer should be aware of.
Local Road Closures (please note this information is provided by third parties):
Bexhill
- Woodsgate Avenue – 20 Oct, 09:45 to 19 Nov, 23:59
- Cooden Drive – 3 Feb 2025 to 1 Feb 2026
Bodiam
- Bodiam Road – 20 Nov, 08:00 to 21 Nov, 17:00
Ninfield
- Lower Street – 24 Nov, 08:00 to 26 Nov, 18:00
- Marlpits Lane – 26 Nov, 08:00 to 26 Nov, 18:00
Burwash
- Swing Gate Hill – 28 Nov, 09:30 to 28 Nov, 15:30
Northiam
- Beckley Road – 24 Nov, 08:00 to 26 Nov, 17:00
Robertsbridge
- Station Road – 22 Nov, 17:00 to 22 Nov, 22:00
Udimore
- Udimore Road – 20 Nov, 19:00 to 22 Nov, 06:00
Dallington
- White Horse Road – 24 Nov to 25 Nov
