Welcome to this week's newsletter!
I would not usually open my newsletter with an issue outside our immediate constituency, but the dismissal of bus driver Mark Hehir is an injustice that should concern us all. Mark was sacked for intervening when a criminal stole a passenger’s necklace – exactly the sort of action most of us would hope someone would take. Police later confirmed his response was “proportionate and necessary” in defence of both himself and the passenger, yet MetroLine dismissed him on the basis that the robber was a “customer”. I urge you to read the article below and to sign my petition to help ensure Mark receives the justice he deserves. The public response has been overwhelming! More than 100,000 people have signed my petition and more than £20,000 has been donated to a CrowdFunder. This is an issue I have been thinking about in relation to Bexhill & Battle as well though - I have spoken to local shop workers in big chains who tell me they want to do more to stop shoplifters but they are worried they will be sacked. Of course people should not have to act - but if its corrosive for society to have businesses trying to squash our instinct to do the right thing purely for business reasons.
On other topics, I’m pleased that we in the Conservative Party have committed to banning social media for under-16s. There has been growing evidence of the harm social media is causing to young people’s mental health, development and safety. Too many under-16s are exposed to addictive platforms and harmful content. That is why we are taking urgent action now, and have made a commitment for the future.
On immigration, it is already clear that Labour’s so-called “one in, one out” deal is failing, with arrivals continuing to outpace removals despite tough rhetoric. The only proven way to stop illegal crossings for good is through firm deterrence – specifically following Australia’s point based model, as well as leaving the ECHR.
In Parliament, I spoke in the Chamber about the Government’s deeply concerning proposal to give up sovereign British territory - the Chagos Islands. This would be a grave and irreversible mistake, undermining our national security and putting a vital UK–US military base at risk, while sending the wrong message in a strategically important region.
In positive news, I have been told by the Environment Agency that Ardingly Reservoir is now at 100% capacity and recovering, so I have written to South East Water’s CEO urging the hosepipe ban to be lifted and pressing for clear plans to tackle leaks and restore confidence in supplies.
I’m also pleased to have secured a meeting with the Housing Minister to raise concerns about the unfair use of restrictive covenants, where some freehold homeowners face excessive and opaque charges from private companies.
Last week, I attended the Holocaust Memorial Service in Parliament, ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day, where survivor Mala Tribich shared her powerful testimony of survival, loss and resilience. On 27 January, marking the liberation of Auschwitz, I also signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment. As survivors grow fewer and antisemitism rises, remembrance and education are more important than ever.
In the constituency, I was pleased to visit Chantry Community Primary School to meet Year 4 pupils and discuss democracy and representation. It was a really engaging talk - perhaps even a few future MPs in the making!
I was grateful to meet with councillors, campaigners and residents in Ticehurst to discuss protecting and restoring dark skies and later attended the Dark Skies APPG to continue pushing this work forward in Parliament.
It was great to meet local farmers, landowners and managers to discuss rural challenges including planning barriers, deer management and the impact of Labour’s Family Farm tax. I will continue working with the CLA, NFU and local authorities to support farming and protect our rural communities.
Rother District Council is now consulting on its Draft Local Plan 2025–2042, which will shape housing, jobs and land use while protecting our countryside. Residents are encouraged to review the proposals and provide feedback by 23 March 2026 – details are included below.
Finally, please see the end of the newsletter for up-to-date information on local road closures, provided by third parties.
Have a great week.
This week's newsletter:
- Petition for Bus Driver - Mark Hehir - to be Reinstated or Compensated
- The Conservative's Plan to Ban Social Media for Under-16s
- Labour's Immigration Record So Far
- Opposing Labour's Plan to Surrender The Chagos Islands
- Letter to South East Water - Ongoing Hosepipe Restrictions & Water Security
- Raising Restrictive Covenants in the Chamber
- Holocaust Memorial Service in Parliament
- Holocaust Memorial Day
- Visit to Chantry Community Primary School
- Supporting Dark Skies Locally and in Parliament
- Discussing Rural Affairs with Local Farmers, Landowners and Managers
- Draft Rother Local Plan - Public Consultation Now Open
- Local Road Closures
Petition for Bus Driver - Mark Hehir - to be Reinstated or Compensated
SIGN MY PETITION - I was furious to read this story!
Mark Hehir was a London bus driver sacked for intervening to chase down a robber that stole a passenger’s necklace. Mr. Hehir was cleared by police for his actions - they said he “had used force which was proportionate and necessary in the circumstances in the defence of himself and the female passenger”.
But MetroLine sacked him anyway – citing the fact the robber had been a “customer”. An employment tribunal recently upheld the decision. I don't think that they had to do that, but the employment tribunal could at least agree that the company policies had been broken. This is something I think we need to do something about as I have spoken to lots of retail staff locally who want to do more but can't because of company policies.
This is not justice. Mark Hehir stepped in to protect a passenger and recover her stolen property and for doing the right thing and putting himself in harm’s way, he lost his job. That is plainly wrong.
I believe that regardless of how many police we have that our society would be a better place if more people felt able to step in and confront wrong doing. It isn't realistic to have police everywhere all the time. Of course - you should not have to and it is reasonable for companies to discourage it if they want. But they should not be able to sack staff helping victims of crime if they do so in a reasonable way.
Acting quickly to help people in moments like this is difficult and even trained professionals can make mistakes. But people doing the right thing, for the right reasons, when so many look the other way need our support. Not the rule book being thrown at them.
People can sign the petition asking for Mark to be reinstated or to receive compensation here.
And you can read just some of the media coverage of what happened and my campaign to support Mark:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj4lgrg1yeqo
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/sacked-hero-bus-driver-says-36640369
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15508275/Hero-bus-driver-sacked-chased-thief-punch.html
The Conservative's Plan to Ban Social Media for Under-16s
Back the campaign to ban social media for under-16s!
Over the last few weeks, I have received hundreds of messages from constituents who are deeply worried about the impact social media is having on young people.
There is growing and compelling evidence that heavy social media use is harming children’s mental health and development. Excessive time online is increasingly linked to anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, reduced attention spans, and disruptive behaviour in schools.
At a critical stage of brain development, children are being exposed to addictive algorithms designed to maximise engagement, not wellbeing.
Alongside these developmental harms, children are also being exposed online to content that no child should ever see, including violence and pornography.
Even more concerning are cases where children are contacted by strangers with harmful intentions. These experiences can be life-changing, leaving lasting trauma.
It is simply unrealistic to expect children to manage these risks on their own. That is why adults – parents, lawmakers and society as a whole – must step in.
The Conservative Party is now committed to banning under-16s from social media if we get back into government. But we are also acting in Parliament now – recently proposing and winning a vote on this issue in the House of Lords.
This will now come to the House of Commons as part of the larger Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to be voted on by MPs. If passed it would follow the example set by Australia, which introduced a similar ban last year.
Unfortunately, the Government has chosen not to back it, instead launching yet another consultation. Again, we are seeing Labour delaying decision making when decisive action is needed.
If the Government continues to ignore this, it risks being badly out of step with both Parliament and the country.
If you would like to make your voice heard, please support the petition here.
Labour's Immigration Record So Far
Labour’s “one in, one out” deal is already a flop.
The Home Secretary admits 350 migrants have arrived from France, but only 281 removed.
That’s a net gain of 69 – not a reduction.
And let’s be clear: 41,000 arrived last year, yet removals under this scheme are almost non-existent.
Labour talks tough. The numbers tell a different story.
The only approach that has worked anywhere is what Australia did by making clear that people who arrive illegally will not stay. Our Rwanda partnership was designed to do exactly that.
The Conservative Party has committed to leaving ECHR to allow us to put in place a scheme that works. It's still not too late for the government to do the same.
Opposing Labour's Plan to Surrender The Chagos Islands
As you might be able to tell, I’m really angry about this decision!
The Government’s plan to hand sovereign territory to Mauritius, home to our only military base in the region, would seriously damage UK national security.
Mauritius has been clear that China is an ally of theirs. That means one of our biggest adversaries could gain influence just miles from a joint US-UK military base.
Once sovereignty is given up, it’s gone for good. If Mauritius later chose to evict us – especially with China’s backing – there would be little the UK could do to stop it.
That’s the difference between sovereignty and a deal. Agreements can be broken; sovereignty cannot be reclaimed.
The Conservative Party will keep pushing back. We’ve already delayed the Government, and serious legal concerns remain – including potential breaches of a UK-US treaty.
You can watch my full speech in the video, or alternatively you can read it on Hansard here.
Letter to South East Water - Ongoing Hosepipe Restrictions & Water Security
Over the past month, a number of constituents have contacted me with concerns about the ongoing hosepipe ban imposed by South East Water.
This week, I have received positive confirmation from the Environment Agency that Ardingly Reservoir has reached 100% capacity and has moved into recovery status.
As I have not yet received an update from South East Water, I have written now to the company’s CEO, David Hinton, to say that – now fears of low water supply over the summer appear to have been alleviated – I expect the lifting of restrictions on hosepipe use for local residents.
Many constituents have also raised concerns about a number of high-profile water leaks across Kent and East Sussex, which have caused prolonged supply interruptions. It is understandable that residents question continued restrictions when water has been lost through avoidable leakage.
I have therefore asked South East Water for clear assurances and detailed plans for the year ahead, including pipe rehabilitation and leakage reduction measures, to help restore public confidence in their ability to deliver reliable and uninterrupted drinking water supplies.
Raising Restrictive Covenants in the Chamber
I recently raised with the Minister for Housing and Planning the issue of restrictive covenants affecting freehold homeowners, which has impacted a number of residents in Cooden.
Restrictive covenants are not new and can sometimes play a reasonable role in protecting the character of an area. But problems arise when old or unclear covenants are enforced in ways that feel unfair or excessive, especially when the right to enforce them has been sold on to private companies.
In a small but growing number of cases, homeowners are facing demands for thousands of pounds for permissions or alleged breaches, often with little transparency and no clear or affordable way to challenge the charges. That is not how freehold ownership should work.
I have secured a meeting with the Minister to press for stronger protections and a fairer system, particularly in cases where covenants are being used in an unreasonable or outdated way. I will continue standing up for local residents who are being hit with these kinds of unexpected and excessive costs.
Holocaust Memorial Service in Parliament
Last week I attended the Holocaust Memorial Service in Parliament ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day which took place this week.
At the ceremony, Holocaust survivor Mala Tribich spoke at length about her experience surviving the Holocaust. Born in Poland in 1930, Mala’s family was torn apart by Nazi occupation. She spoke of life in the ghetto, and the harrowing conditions she experienced. Mala’s family went into hiding, and she became separated with her siblings, and eventually, almost her entire family was killed.
Her brother Ben remained as the only other member of her close family to have survived.
The weight of Mala’s story, and the shrinking number of Holocaust survivors each year, highlight the importance of hearing and platforming these stories before they are lost to time. I had the pleasure of sharing a conversation with Mala, thanking her for her courage and resolve to tell her story. However, the responsibility of remembrance cannot end with the survivors, it must live on through their children, their grandchildren, and all of us.
As antisemitism rises in recent times, the stories of those such as Mala matter more than ever. These stories teach us that hatred must always be confronted, and that the lessons of the Holocaust must be honoured and broadcasted to future generations.
Holocaust Memorial Day
This week, 27th January, marked Holocaust Memorial Day and the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and is a moment to remember the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered in the Holocaust, as well as all those persecuted by the Nazis.
To mark Holocaust Memorial Day, I signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment and attended the Holocaust Memorial Service last week.
With survivors becoming fewer each year, the responsibility to remember and to educate the next generation is more important than ever.
In the Book of Commitment, I wrote about the power of seeing the shoes and personal belongings of those who were murdered, a stark reminder that the victims of the Holocaust were ordinary people with lives, families and hopes, just like you and me.
Visit to Chantry Community Primary School
Following my quick visit to Chantry Community Primary School to congratulate the runners up of my Christmas Card Competition last month, I was able to go for a full visit, meeting with Year 4 pupils for a Q&A session, and was taken on a tour of the school by Headteacher Mrs Reed.
It was a pleasure to meet pupils and answer their questions. Our discussions around representation, democracy and social responsibility were thoughtful and engaging, demonstrating pupils' developing understanding of the world beyond the classroom.
Mrs Reed said the pupils were inspired by what they heard and that they may have a couple of budding MPs in the making! I always encourage pupils to believe in themselves and their potential, because politics and leadership are open to everyone.
Supporting Dark Skies Locally and in Parliament
Recently, I met with local councillors, campaigners and residents at The Bell in Ticehurst to discuss the growing community support for protecting and restoring dark skies across rural areas of the constituency.
It was great to learn that so much can be done in a way that doesn't leave communities any worse off and might actually save money. Simple things like the colour, strength and direction of streetlamps can make a huge difference.
I was pleased to then attend the Dark Skies APPG AGM, where we discussed a range of different initiatives, including ways to better engage young people in the importance of dark skies.
I look forward to continuing to work with the APPG and those locally who know the benefits of dark skies.
Discussing Rural Affairs with Local Farmers, Landowners and Managers
It was really good to meet local farmers, landowners and managers to discuss a wide range of rural issues.
The meeting was organised by the CLA (Country Land and Business Association) and kindly hosted at Mountfield Estate by Lucinda and Simon Fraser.
It is always helpful to talk directly to those working in agriculture and our rural economy to hear about the day to day challenges they face in delivering food security to our nation, protecting the environment and providing much-needed employment in rural areas.
Our farmers have been disproportionately impacted by Labour’s Family Farm tax. Whilst the government’s recent partial U-turn has taken some family farms out of this punitive and unfair tax, it is clear from our discussions that many family farms will still be impacted. This will lead to farms being broken up and sold off and we will lose the next generation of farmers who won’t be able to make a living on the land which is left. The tax receipts this tax will generate simply won’t justify this destruction of our rural communities and way of life.
We also talked about planning policies and procedures being a barrier to diversification. Every farmer and landowner explained that they constantly look to diversify to support their income from farming which is simply not profitable. Delays in the planning process are frustrating and a barrier to investment and growth. I have offered to take up specific cases with local planning authorities and see what can be done to improve the process.
We also discussed deer management which is important to the countryside as farmers lose between 12-15% of their crops each year due to damage caused by deer. Deer herds are increasing in the wild as they have no natural predators but there is currently no coordinated strategy to manage them.
I look forward to further farm visits this year and working with local landowners, the CLA and NFU to raise issues on their behalf.
Draft Rother Local Plan - Public Consultation Now Open
Rother District Council has launched an eight-week public consultation on its Draft Rother Local Plan 2025–2042, which will guide development and land use across the district over the coming years.
The Local Plan is an important document. It sets out how homes, jobs, infrastructure and open spaces are planned and delivered, while helping to protect our countryside and address key issues such as affordable housing, climate change and nature recovery. This draft also identifies proposed sites for future housing and employment development.
The consultation is being held under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012, and feedback from residents, organisations and stakeholders will help shape the next version of the Plan, ahead of a further consultation later in 2026.
Consultation period: Monday 26 January to 5:00pm on Monday 23 March 2026
Hard copies are also available to view at Council offices and local libraries. Details of locations and opening hours are available on the Council’s website.
I encourage anyone with an interest in the future of our district to take part in this consultation and share their views.
Local Road Closures (please note this information is provided by third parties):
Bexhill
- West Parade - 31 Jan 09:00 GMT - 22:00 GMT
- Park Avenue - 31 Jan 09:00 GMT - 22:00 GMT
- Channel View East - 31 Jan 09:00 GMT - 22:00 GMT
- St Leonards Road - 31 Jan 09:00 GMT - 22:00 GMT
- Gunters Lane - 2 Feb 08:00 - 6 Feb 18:00 GMT
- Freezeland Lane - 13 Feb - 16 Feb
Normans Bay
- Sluice Road - 8 Feb 01:30 - 9 Feb 04:00 GMT
Battle
- Netherfield Hill - 30 Jan 06:05 - 3 Feb 17:00 GMT
- Eatenden Lane - 13 Feb - 16 Feb
Ninfield
- Marlpits Lane - 27 Jan 12:35 - 24 Feb 12:35 GMT
Hooe
- Top Road - 9 Feb 08:00 - 11 Feb 18:00 GMT
Brightling
- Rectory Hill - 2 Feb - 4 Feb
Etchingham
- Oxenbridge Lane - 12 Jan 08:12 - 4 Feb 23:59 GMT
- Church Lane - 28 Jan 07:00 - 30 Jan 23:59 GMT
Ticehurst
- Dunsters Mill Road - 28 Jan - 31 Oct
