Knocking on local residents’ doors by the hundreds and thousands is one part of political life that I love.
It’s a box of chocolates of course. On one occasion the door slammed, “not interested in conservatories!” But whatever the reception, it is always good to ask people how they are doing and to seek out what they think and feel about issues, local and national.
Sometimes, a chance pavement conversation can open up a whole new frontier of campaign work for me, and so it was last Saturday, when a lovely lady who told me she had finally been forced to retire from school because they could not cope with the stress of being assaulted any more.
Dismayed by her case, I raised attacks on teaching staff in schools on Monday in the House of Commons. In all my years in the classroom, I experienced only one episode of violence at the hands of a student when they hurled a chair at me across the classroom. I was six months pregnant then.
As a teacher myself, I am very aware of how challenging it can be for some schools, especially post covid, but the incidence of assault feels new. A number of teaching staff have now told me it is becoming more and more commonplace. In fact, in some quarters, it is expected.
This cannot be.
Supporting families and a whole society response will be at the heart of successfully tackling this but there is clearly an important role for the government to play; investment in behaviour hubs is one such important intervention. I will be meeting with the schools minister and will report back what was said in this column.
On a lighter, brighter note, I hope the sun shines on us this Bank Holiday and we can enjoy any number of the events on in Eastbourne. I may also stretch a little further, to Arlington, to enjoy the bluebells and give to the good causes the annual walk supports. I won’t be knocking on your door this weekend but do hope to see you out and about!
And I will be on the cause of our Tennis Tournament again next week and very much looking forward to meeting former Eastbourne Tennis Champion and British No 1 Johanna Konta.
Have a good week and keep in touch.
