Welcome to this week's newsletter!
Diving straight back into Parliament after the Christmas break, I challenged the Home Office over its misguided plan to move hundreds of single asylum seekers into the Crowborough training camp just across my constituency border. Previously ruled unsuitable, the proposal has displaced local cadet groups, saves no money, and places serious strain on a small rural community that overwhelmingly opposes the decision.
Later in the week, I asked the Minister for a meeting to talk about expanding the use of Criminal Behaviour Orders to tag prolific shoplifters, following a successful Sussex pilot led by PCC Katy Bourne. After chairing a retail crime summit with Bexhill businesses, it is clear the impact that shoplifting is having locally– it’s not victimless and repeat offenders must face real consequences.
I was pleased to meet with the Local Government Minister to press the case for fair funding for East Sussex County Council, highlighting the higher costs of delivering services in a large rural county. Current funding fails to reflect these realities – I will keep pushing Ministers to fix the imbalance and ensure rural communities get the support they deserve.
This week, I joined Paula and Neil Scott to thank Ministers for backing their powerful campaign in memory of their son, Lenny, which has now led to a vital change in the law being agreed. Their determination has helped close a loophole so whole life orders can apply when officers are murdered because of their service, whilst off-duty or following retirement, ensuring the law properly reflects the seriousness of these crimes and stands firmly behind those who serve the public.
Last week I spoke on GB News in my role as Shadow Justice Minister to oppose Labour’s plan to scrap jury trials for some crimes. Later that day, I directly challenged the Government on this issue in Parliament, highlighting jury’s vital role in protecting fairness, public confidence, and our democracy. Any changes to this centuries-old right must be carefully considered, evidence-based, and reversible once court backlog issues are properly addressed.
Following recent mass demonstrations in Iran, I urged the Foreign Secretary to support the Iranian people in their brave protests against the regime, which has responded with extreme violence, killing thousands. While complex and risky, acting could help the people of Iran challenge a brutal regime whose downfall would make the world safer for all.
After months of delays, funding has finally been agreed for Barnhorn Green Medical Centre in Bexhill and the new Robertsbridge health centre. These modern GP surgeries will improve access, expand clinical space, help recruit staff, and make life easier for thousands of patients across our area. We faced obstacles in the government agreeing funding that reflected the increased construction costs we have all seen over recent years. This is something I've been helping with over many months and so a huge thank you to all those who have been working hard to deliver this.
Residents may have noticed shipping containers and debris washing up along our coastline. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is leading the offshore response, local councils are managing beach clean-ups, and the Environment Agency is monitoring impacts – please report any debris and avoid touching it for safety. See the article below for all contact details.
This week, I’m sharing seven fascinating facts about the Sussex flag which I read recently. Check out the article to perhaps learn something new about our historic flag!
Although the Christmas break feels distant, I did enjoy some lovely walks in our beautiful local countryside – perfect for burning off the Christmas chocolates! I’ll keep standing up for our rural communities and protecting this precious landscape, just as I did recently when meeting the Local Government Minister.
I’m holding a surgery in Pevensey on Friday morning (23rd January) for local residents. To discuss any issues in person, please book an appointment – all details are towards the end of the newsletter.
And lastly, please see the bottom of the newsletter for up to date information on local road closures, as provided by third parties.
Have a great week.
This week's newsletter:
- Opposing Crowborough Training Camp Asylum Plan's
- Criminal Behaviour Orders for Prolific Shoplifters
- Fair Funding for ESCC
- Successful Campaign to Close Whole Life Order Loophole in Memory of Lenny Scott
- Opposing the Government's Plans to Scrap Jury Trials For Some Crimes
- Raising Concerns Over Iranian Regimes Brutal Crackdown
- Local GP Surgeries Approved
- Update on Shipping Containers and Debris Found on Local Beaches
- Seven Interesting Facts About The Sussex Flag
- Enjoying Our Countryside During The Christmas Break!
- Surgery in Pevensey for Local Residents Next Friday
- Local Road Closures
Opposing Crowborough Training Camp Asylum Plan's
On my first day of the new year back in Parliament, I was straight back into raising issues that matter locally!
Last week, I again pressed the Minister on why the Home Office is so set on moving hundreds of single asylum seekers into the Crowborough training camp.
Although Crowborough is just across the border of my constituency, I know lots of my constituents have raised concerns with me.
This site was previously considered and dismissed as unsuitable.
Now, because of this Labour Government’s actions, the Cadets who regularly make use of the grounds are being forced to convene elsewhere.
On top of this, it has been shown that using the site won’t save any money – it seems there is no upside for anyone.
Local opposition has been incredibly strong, with the Nus Ghani the MP for Sussex Weald which covers Crowborough, securing nearly 10,000 signatures.
In showing our opposition to this proposal, we are not advocating for the further use of hotels – we are standing our ground on decisions which will have a serious negative impact on a small rural area.
Criminal Behaviour Orders for Prolific Shoplifters
I asked the Minister for a meeting to discuss rolling out the use of Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) to tag prolific shoplifters.
I am pleased that in Sussex, Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne has been running a pilot that does exactly this by using CBOs to tag serial offenders.
Before Christmas, I chaired a retail crime summit for Bexhill businesses that have been experiencing a rise in shoplifting. The meeting gave shop and business owners a valuable opportunity to speak directly with the police. More than 40 businesses attended, sharing their experiences and frustrations with persistent offenders, as well as aggressive and intimidating behaviour and the challenges they face in dealing with it.
Retail crime is not a victimless crime. It harms shopworkers, affects customers and makes our communities feel less safe. Sentencing must be a real deterrent, and CBOs should be used more to stop repeat offenders.
You can read more about Katy Bourne's pilot tagging scheme on the BBC here.
Fair Funding for ESCC
I met with the Local Government Minister earlier this week to press the case for fair funding for East Sussex County Council as it sets its budget, particularly in light of the challenges of delivering services in a large and rural county.
I made clear that current funding arrangements fail to reflect the real cost of delivering services in rural areas, while demand for essential services like adult social care and children’s services continues to rise. This unfairness is putting increasing pressure on local services and hitting residents across East Sussex.
I will keep pushing Ministers and officials to fix this imbalance and will continue to stand up for fair funding so rural communities in East Sussex get the support they deserve.
Successful Campaign to Close Whole Life Order Loophole in Memory of Lenny Scott
This week I had the pleasure of joining Paula and Neil Scott in their meeting with Lord Timpson and Minister Richards to thank them for supporting their successful campaign to change the law in memory of their son, Lenny Scott.
Thanks to their determination, the Government has accepted Conservative proposals to close the loophole that meant whole life orders could not be applied when police, prison or probation officers were murdered because of their duties, but after leaving the service or while off duty. That change is now written into the Sentencing Bill, which has just completed its passage through the House of Lords and is expected to become law later this year.
Lenny was murdered in a brutal revenge attack because he did his job properly and refused to be corrupted. Paula and Neil have turned their grief into a powerful campaign to make sure the law properly reflects the seriousness of crimes like his and ensure perpetrators never get out of prison.
It has been a privilege to work with them to bring Lenny’s story to Parliament and to see this injustice finally addressed. Hearing Lenny’s name spoken by Ministers and MPs from across Parliament has meant a great deal to his family.
This change will mean that the law now stands firmly behind those who serve the public and put themselves in harm’s way.
You can read more about this story here.
Opposing the Government's Plans to Scrap Jury Trials For Some Crimes
Last week, I spoke on GB News about Labour’s proposal to scrap jury trials for some crimes.
For more than 800 years, jury trials have ensured that when the state takes away someone’s liberty, guilt is decided with the involvement of ordinary citizens. If a Labour government is struggling to reduce court backlogs, there are other options, such as increasing sitting days.
Later in the day, the Official Opposition held an opposition day debate to hold the Government to account over their ill considered decision to scrap jury trials for most criminal cases.
I spoke about how important jury trials are to our justice system, why they matter to our democracy, and the very real concerns many of us have about the Government’s proposal to remove them for large numbers of cases.
Making such a major change to our justice system is not the right decision - as Shadow Justice Minister, I will continue to strongly oppose this in Parliament.
You can read the full speech here.
Raising Concerns Over Iranian Regimes Brutal Crackdown
I urged the Foreign Secretary to show courage by supporting the Iranian people in their protests against the despotic Iranian regime, should the opportunity arise.
Iran is the most dangerous and destabilising force in the Middle East, but its leaderships power has weakened in recent years. The country has seen repeated mass protests, but the current demonstrations represent a new and more determined phase of resistance.
The regime has responded with extreme violence. Reports indicate that thousands of protesters have been killed. Brave young people, including Erfan Soltani, are risking their lives for their country’s freedom. Reports at the time indicated that Erfan was to be executed earlier this week, however, the latest information provided suggest that this is no longer the case following strong international condemnation.
I hope this Government will show the courage to assist where possible to support the Iranian people when it can. These situations are very complex with risks when we get involved but there are no risk free-ways for a brutal murderous regime to lose its grip on power.
A world without the Iranian regime would be safer for us all.
Local GP Surgeries Approved
After months of delays, funding has now been approved by the NHS Sussex for Barnhorn Green Medical Centre in Bexhill and the new health centre in Robertsbridge. This is a big step forward for patients and GP staff across our area.
I have been supporting both practices throughout this process and working closely with the ICB to help get these schemes over the line. Rising building costs and the level of rent the NHS is able to pay have made it harder for developers to commit, even when new surgeries are clearly needed. That has caused frustrating delays, but I am really pleased we have now reached a positive outcome.
Both projects can now move towards construction, bringing modern GP surgeries with better clinical space, improved accessibility, more room for staff and the ability to offer more appointments. These new buildings will help practices recruit and retain GPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals, and give patients a more comfortable, efficient place to receive care.
General practice is the front door of the NHS, yet too many people locally still struggle to get through that door. Surgeries across Bexhill and Battle are under pressure, with many working at or beyond capacity.
These new buildings will help ease that pressure and improve access for thousands of patients.
A really good result for patients across the constituency!
Update on Shipping Containers and Debris Found on Local Beaches
Residents may have recently seen shipping containers and debris washing up along our coastline. I want to share the latest update from the agencies responding to the situation.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is leading the offshore response. Any sightings of shipping containers should be reported to HM Coastguard on 0344 382 0560. Local authorities are managing the clean-up of debris on beaches, and reports should be made to the relevant council. Members of the public are advised not to touch or remove any debris, as it may be unsafe.
To report debris sightings on beaches in Bexhill, Cooden and Normans Bay, please contact Rother District Council via their dedicated email address [email protected].
To report debris sightings on beaches in Pevensey Bay, please contact Wealden District Council’s email address at [email protected] pr call through on 01323 443322.
The Environment Agency has been involved from the outset and is monitoring environmental and community impacts. No significant environmental impacts have been identified so far, but monitoring will continue while clean-up works take place over the coming weeks.
I will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.
Seven Interesting Facts About The Sussex Flag
I saw a great post the other week sharing seven facts about the Sussex flag, so I thought I'd put them into this week's newsletter for anyone who might not know them:
- The flag depicts six gold mythical heraldic birds called ‘Martlets’, upon a field of blue.
- The Martlets with no feet highlight perseverance and continuous effort.
- Reputed to represent Sussex's six ancient subdivisions known as ‘rapes’.
- It is derived from 14th Century Arms of Sir John de Radynden - Knight of the Shire.
- The flag has definitively represented Sussex since at least 1611.
- But was officially adopted as the county flag on 20th May 2011.
- And it is now one of the most popularly used local flags in Britain.
I hope you found them as interesting as I did!
Enjoying Our Countryside During The Christmas Break!
Although the Christmas break feels like a while ago now, I was pleased that I could take moments to enjoy our local countryside. Perfect for walks to burn off the Christmas chocolates!
We are so lucky in our area to get to enjoy the beautiful countryside through public rights of way. Much of our local farm land is technically not high grade farm land but a precious part of our landscape that we must protect!
I will make sure to continue representing the interests of our rural communities in Parliament, as I did earlier this week while meeting with the Local Government Minister.
Surgery in Pevensey for Local Residents Next Friday
I'm hosting a surgery in Pevensey on Friday morning (23rd January) for local residents.
If you have an issue which you would like to discuss with in person then please make sure to contact my office to make an appointment.
You can drop an email to my email address [email protected] or call through to my constituency office on 01424 736861.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Local Road Closures (please note this information is provided by third parties)
Bexhill
- Wentworth Close – 27 Jan 20:00 to 29 Jan 06:00
- Cooden Drive – 3 Feb 2025 to 1 Feb 2026
- Herbrand Walk – 9 Jan 09:00 to 6 Feb 23:59
Wartling
- Wartling Road – 26 Jan 19:00 to 29 Jan 06:00
Herstmonceux
- West End – 26 Jan 08:00 to 28 Jan 17:00
Penhurst
- Penhurst Lane – 19 Jan to 22 Jan
Etchingham
- Oxenbridge Lane – 12 Jan 08:12 to 30 Jan 23:59
Ticehurst
- Vineyard Lane – 21 Jan to 23 Jan
- Snape Lane – 17 Dec 2025 to 30 Jan 2026
