It is an honour to serve as your local MP and be Eastbourne’s champion in Parliament and now the year is fast closing, I’ve been looking back. You’ll remember perhaps my Scottish heritage. Hogmanay is a serious business.
The year has encompassed challenges from the international to the ultra-local, from small boat crossings to rail ticket offices. It has seen me 75ft underground at ‘Poo Castle’ to see water treatment works for my water quality campaign and 550ft above sea level where Government levelling up money will transform a disused downland dairy farm into a world class destination. We also had the of the King – the first such event in 70 years.
I have worked behind the scenes with East Sussex County Council and the Roads Minister, helping to land £18m for improvement works and millions more in the years to come.
With my team, I have dealt with over 17,300 pieces of casework and policy questions this year. The 2023 top policy question has been the crisis in Gaza; the top casework request was seeking support with council housing. Among many important cases, I have stepped in against wrongful bailiff action, pension injustice, and the threat of homelessness. Whatever issue anyone has brought me, I have fought their corner.
I have also championed Eastbourne in the corridors of power to advocate for local people and influence key decisions impacting our area. I have met with the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Home Secretary. Ministers from the Department of Culture, Media & Sport, Health & Social Care and the Cabinet Office have all come to Eastbourne.
In the Commons, I have raised questions from support for the high streets, hospice running costs and family courts to ambulance call outs. I have led debates including recognition for students too sick to sit exams and contributed to debates on the environment and criminal justice.
I have undertaken over 200 visits from Old Town to Sovereign Harbour, from Langney to Meads visiting schools, businesses, and community groups this last year. I have backed local campaigns like Save Our Meads Sports Centre (SOMS) and rallied public engagement to support our Taxi trade to help keep Eastbourne moving.
2023 has been a full year and I have loved working with everyone. All that remains this year is to wish you and yours a happy, healthy, successful 2024 and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
