Welcome to this week's newsletter.
Over the past two weeks I have been out and about across the constituency. Everything from meeting veterans in Bexhill, visiting St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School to congratulate the winner of my Creative Writing Competition to hearing concerns from residents in Hurst Green about National Highways' proposed traffic lights scheme.
In Westminster, I have continued speaking up on issues I know many of you feel strongly about, including sentencing, illegal immigration and access to local banking services. I also spoke on both GB News and Radio 5 Live this week about some of these national issues.
There is also plenty happening locally. The Bexhill Festival of Music is now underway, with more than a month of performances and activities taking place across the town, including the return of the world-renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to the De La Warr Pavilion.
As always, you'll also find my latest traffic and road closure update at the end of the newsletter.
Have a great weekend.
In this week's newsletter:
- Bexhill Observer column: Serious crime must be met with serious consequences
- Visit to Bexhill and District Veterans Association
- National Fish and Chip Day in Bexhill
- Calling on Lloyds Bank to protect cheque deposit services
- Meeting Hurst Green residents over traffic lights concerns
- National Trust reception in Parliament
- GB News interview on illegal immigration and the Belfast disorder
- Radio 5 Live interview on scrapping the Public Sector Equality Duty
- Celebrating the winner of my Creative Writing Competition
- Bexhill Festival of Music
- Latest traffic and road closure updates
Bexhill Observer - Serious crime must be met with serious consequences
In my latest Bexhill Observer column, I shared my views on the case involving three boys who escaped custody after being convicted of the rape of three girls, and why our justice system must ensure that serious offences are met with meaningful punishment and accountability.
Victims and their families deserve confidence that those who commit the most serious crimes will face serious consequences. You can read my column in full here
Visit to Bexhill and District Veterans Association
It was a pleasure to join the Bexhill and District Veterans Association at their meeting last week.
I enjoyed chatting with members and hearing stories from their time in service. It was a privilege to listen to their experiences and learn more about the strong sense of camaraderie that continues long after military service ends.
The meeting finished with the Association’s raffle, which was great fun! Thank you to Alastair Rosenschein and all the members for such a warm welcome.
National Fish and Chip Day
Last Friday was National Fish and Chip Day, which seemed like the perfect excuse to support one of our fantastic local businesses. I stopped by Louis' Fish and Chip Bar in Bexhill for lunch and wasn't disappointed!
Calling on Lloyds bank to protect cheque deposit services
I signed a cross-party letter calling on Lloyds Banking Group to reconsider its decision not to allow cheque deposits through Post Offices and Banking Hubs.
Many people in Bexhill still rely on cheques, particularly older residents, local charities and those who prefer to do their banking in person. As work continues to deliver a Banking Hub for the town and secure access to essential services, it’s important that local people can continue to bank in a way that works for them
Meeting residents in Hurst Green over traffic lights scheme
Last Thursday, I met residents and parish councillors in Hurst Green who are rightly furious by the way the traffic lights scheme has been handled.
National Highways have pushed ahead with a tattling lights scheme without proper engagement, and now we’re seeing:
- Poor pavement layouts
- Disruption to local access
- Eye sore infrastructure in front of historic buildings
One proposal would even place a traffic light column directly on the pavement outside the Old Courthouse. I’ve since had an urgent meeting with National Highways and will continue pressing for changes that reflect local concerns and improve safety for everyone.
National Trust in Parliament
Earlier this week I attended the National Trust’s Nature = Future campaign event in Parliament after hearing from many constituents who wrote to me about the importance of protecting and restoring nature.
It was great to meet Harry Bowell, Director of Land and Nature at the National Trust, as we discussed how lucky we are to have such natural beauty on our doorsteps locally. We spoke about the importance of protecting and restoring these landscapes so that future generations can continue to enjoy them.
GB News interview on illegal immigration and the Belfast disorder
Like many across the country, I have watched the scenes in Belfast unfold with horror. Families should never be targeted. Businesses should never be attacked. Violence against police officers is never acceptable. My father was a police officer, and I also served as a volunteer police officer. I know the courage it takes to put on that uniform and protect the public.
But it is not a binary choice between condemning unnecessary violence and saying clearly that the country needs a serious answer on illegal immigration.
Illegal immigration has been allowed to get out of control and the previous Government must accept its share of responsibility for that, but now we need a serious plan to fix it. That means leaving the ECHR, removing people who come here illegally, and making it clear that if you arrive here illegally, you will not be allowed to stay.That is the kind of deterrent we need if we are serious about curbing illegal immigration.
Radio 5 Live Interview - Scrap the Public Sector Equality Duty
I spoke on BBC Radio 5 Live about the Conservative Party’s plan to scrap the Public Sector Equality Duty. Too often the focus is on identity and group characteristics rather than treating people equally before the law. In some cases, it has contributed to a culture where difficult issues are avoided and uncomfortable truths are left unsaid for fear of being labelled racist.
Kemi has set out a clear case for scrapping the equality duty and a return to fairness and common sense. Read Kemi’s speech by clicking here
Celebrating the winner of my Creative Writing Competition
Congratulations to 9-year-old Joey Steele of St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School, winner of my Creative Writing Competition! Joey’s story, ‘The Silence’, impressed me with its thoughtful reflections on nature and wildlife and its reminder of the everyday sounds and moments that often go unnoticed in the hustle and bustle of daily life.
It was a pleasure to visit the school to meet Joey and his classmates, and to congratulate him on his fantastic achievement. Earlier this year, I launched my Creative Writing Competition and invited primary school pupils across Bexhill and Battle to take part. I was delighted to receive so many excellent entries, making the judging process incredibly difficult!
Bexhill Festival of Music
Bexhill is set for a fantastic summer of music as the world-renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra returns to the De La Warr Pavilion for its Summer Season. The orchestra will perform three concerts at the Pavilion and will also be taking part in a range of free family activities in Sidley and at the DLWP, helping to bring the joy of live music to people of all ages. These events form part of the wider Bexhill Festival of Music programme, which features more than a month of performances, workshops and activities across the town. With something on offer for everyone - from young children discovering music for the first time to lifelong music lovers - the festival promises to be a wonderful celebration of music and community. View the programme here
