One ray of light to come out of the tragic loss of former Batley & Spen MP Jo Cox is the Great Get Together initiative.
Thousands have been held all around the UK, since 2016, including in Eastbourne, to celebrate her belief that, ‘‘we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us”.
This year, her sister and the constituency’s present MP Kim Leadbeater, hosted the first Great Parliamentary Get Together. I was delighted to support her and in the spirit of the occasion, I went in with a Labour friend.
Jo and I were both elected in 2015 and I knew her. On my constituency bus tours to Parliament, I point out Jo’s beautiful shield mounted above the green benches in the Chamber and tell her story. The experience of her loss made a very big – and lasting - impact on me.
Her murder in 2016, on the street, just coming out of her MP advice surgery, was truly shocking and her loss will still be felt by all who loved her.
It was a powerful reminder of what’s really important in life too.
Back at home and sport has been very much in focus.
Our town comes into its own in tennis week and organisers told me today that our international tournament is an absolute sell out. This event puts Eastbourne on the map like no other with images of the town, sea and downland beamed across the world.
However, while some of the world’s best players are competing in Devonshire Park, across the town, there is a challenge around the future of Meads Sports Centre and its much-needed facilities that need saving.
Since its owners, the University of Brighton, announced in January 2022 that they were leaving the Eastbourne campus, I’ve been working with community groups and decision-makers to save these very important facilities. With one academic year now remaining, the clock is running. As an asset of such significant social value, I have asked the council to step up and they have agreed to work up a business case. A public meeting was held on Monday and a campaign group has rallied to champion its future too.
