You can oppose Venezuela’s brutal and illegitimate tyrant and support a rules-based order and international law. In a more dangerous world, security lies with stronger partnerships with democratic allies — and a pragmatic relationship with the rules-based EU.

Local news by local people for local people really matters. 📰 In Bournemouth, we’re lucky to have the Bournemouth Echo reporting on our patch for more than a century, and new outlets like Pier Journal and Bournemouth One, who are bringing fresh voices and ideas to the local media landscape.

In my first Echo column of 2026, I’ve shared some of the real stories behind the casework my team and I take on. If you’re struggling with a problem and need help, please get in touch. I’m here to fight your corner. 📩 [email protected]

Every one of these questions began with a concern from Bournemouth East, and in 2026, I’ll keep pushing for answers and action.

Ever wondered how many issues my team and I take on over the course of a year on behalf of constituents? In 2025, we worked on 10,092 cases, including 1,679 particularly complex issues. Here's how they break down. 👇

Over 2025, I shared your concerns, experiences, and views in Parliament as often as possible — totalling 353 contributions. 👇 To share a view, or get support with casework, you can always drop me an email: [email protected]

Playgrounds received more attention in Parliament in 2025 than in any year since 2008, which is quite something. Heading into 2026, here’s a snapshot of the impact we’ve had so far. Thank you to everyone locally who’s shared their views, got in touch, and spoken up for children’s right to play. 🛝

Happy New Year! 🎉

As we head into the New Year, here's how I represented Bournemouth East in Parliament this month 👇

Huge congratulations to Sammy Everard on being awarded an MBE. It’s so deserved! 🎉 Since founding Support and Mentoring Enabling Entrepreneurship (SAMEE) in 2015, Sammy and her team have done incredible work supporting disabled people into employment and self-employment. 📁

Here we have it: Home Alone is my top Christmas film of 2025! 🎄 🥳

Gremlins crashes straight in at No. 2.

I was so proud to represent MYTIME Young Carers at 10 Downing Street by donning one of their Christmas jumpers and highlighting the challenges young carers face compared with classmates who aren’t caring for a loved one. It’s an issue that feels particularly poignant over the Christmas period.

We've reached my Top Three Christmas Films! This might be another controversial one...

Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating today! 🎄 I hope you’re able to slow down, share good food, and enjoy time with the people you love. For those who aren’t marking Christmas, or who find this time of year difficult, I hope today brings some space to relax, recharge, and find some peace.

We're into the Top Four — and with No. 4, we have our first new entry for 2025. 👀

The Santa Clause is arguably Tim Allen's finest performance, and that's a topic I won't accept debate on. The lengths to which Scott goes to keep the feeling of Christmas alive are so heartwarming, but a few new entrants coming up see this dropping down the list. 🎅

Number 6 on the list is The Holiday. A rare promotion from last year because, frankly, the idea of disappearing into someone else’s festive problems for a bit sounds lovely. ❄️

Rolling in at Number 7, it's The Snowman! Dropped a place due to how devastating it is (and some new entries coming up shortly). 👀

One last Echo column from me this year, reflecting on 2025. 👇

I'm a huge fan of Elf's message, but I just can't match Buddy's energy. Plus, his diet scares me.

It was a pleasure to attend the carol service at St Peter’s Church and read a lesson. My thanks to The Rev’d Canon Nicholas Jepson-Biddle and everyone who organised the service, performed beautifully, and came together to share a special time. A truly lovely way to mark the season. 🎄

The Muppet Christmas Carol is a mug of hot chocolate in film form: sweet, warm, and there when you need it.

Die Hard’s been relegated to 10th almost entirely because of the state of the comments section last year. It’s staying on the list, but I am protecting my peace.

At Christmas, the difference Hope Housing makes in Bournemouth really matters. 🎄 Alongside mince pies and good conversation, it was a privilege to spend time with residents and support workers who treat everyone as an individual. Their work is genuinely life-changing. ❤️

Thank you to Dorset Race Equality Council for coming into the office last week. We had a really valuable conversation about how we connect communities and bring people together, as well as the vital casework support and advice they provide to residents facing racism or discrimination.

Apparently, he was making sure the books were in elf-abetical order. I'm not so sure...👀

Delighted to be at the first-ever Muscliff Community Christmas Market on Sunday with its organiser, Jennifer. The range of local traders and artists was incredible! Meeting Elsa, who stepped away from Arendelle for the afternoon, was the icing on the cake. ❄️

Ready…steady…ho! 👏🎄 Brilliant to see so many junior runners and families taking part in a brilliant community event today. Thanks to the organisers and volunteers, and well done to everyone who’s running. 🏃🏅

Delighted to switch on the Rotary Tree of Lights at Immanuel URC Church tonight! A wonderful festive moment shared with Boscombe and Southbourne Rotary, Macmillan Caring Locally, the Winton Corps of the Salvation Army, and so many fantastic supporters who made the event truly special 🌲❤️

I had the privilege of visiting Wicksteed Leisure recently, where I got to see behind the scenes of how their team invent, designs, and manufactures play equipment that sits in pride of place in playgrounds around the country. They've been experts on play for more than 100 years! 🔥

University Hospitals Dorset is cutting its emissions. They've already secured £3 million for solar generation, and I’ve asked Ministers to explore a geothermal project beneath Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

Nan is 92 and has just lost her husband after more than six decades together. Her first Christmas on her own shouldn't be spent fighting the system. It’s taken the prospect of me raising her case in Parliament to jolt the DWP into action, and I'll keep doing so until she gets answers.

Playgrounds are where childhood happens: scraped knees, budding imaginations, and friendships built. In this week’s View from Westminster, I talk about the £18m I've secured for playgrounds, the £120,000 upgrade coming to Mallard Road, and the local people whose campaigning is changing things. 🛝

Nice to be kept on my toes, quite literally! ✨ Great to be lifted by the legends that are Team Hail, who’ll be representing the UK at the Cheerleading World Championships in Florida next year 🇬🇧🌍📣 Huge thanks to Bournemouth Elite Cheer for an amazing Showcase. 💙⭐️

I spent Friday morning at Avonwood listening to Year 6 pupils deliver speeches on topics they care about deeply, with the state of our beach and playgrounds coming up nearly every time. They wrote their speeches in groups, stood up in front of the whole year, and spoke with confidence and clarity.

Christmas is three weeks away, and too many people are still waiting for parcels that should have arrived days ago. I’ve seen stories of gifts left in random driveways, parcels marked as “delivered” when they never arrived, and people spending evenings walking the streets trying to track them down.

I know how often people tell me our buses need to be more reliable and easier to use. That’s why I’m pleased BCP Council is receiving £7.8 million from the Government to improve local services. I’ll keep representing your views to the Council about the services we need and pushing for improvement.

I’m so pleased that Mallard Road Playground will receive £120,000 for upgrades. 🙌 🛝 Parents, park users, and especially Rio — who rallied the troops, crunched the numbers, and led a fantastic local campaign — showed just how much this playground means to the community.

It was great to join the Association of Colleges for their #LoveOurColleges reception and catch up with Phil Sayles from Bournemouth & Poole College. Adult education changes lives. 📚

I’m deeply saddened to hear about the death of a woman in Southbourne, and my thoughts are with her loved ones at this incredibly difficult time. I’m speaking with the Police Commissioner today.

Great to visit Bournemouth Delivery Office yesterday and meet the posties who keep this town moving. Thousands of letters and parcels go through every day, from NHS appointments to birthday cards. Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear a red polo.

Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week means a great deal to me. #HowCrohnsFeels can change entirely depending on the care people receive. My dad didn’t get the timely help he needed, and his Crohn’s became worse than it should ever have been. It’s why improving access to care is so important.

Fantastic to knock on doors and chat about local issues in Moordown after catching up with Cllr George Farquhar about all things Boscombe!

I just joined Sally from Tesco Riverside for their Winter Food Collection for Bournemouth Foodbank. A huge thank you to everyone who supports this effort—whether by donating food or giving their time to volunteer. 🥫💚

I’ve just got home from a couple of hours with the 22nd Bournemouth Guides & Rangers ❤️ Great to spend my second year in a row, taking questions and providing answers. Take a look—this group of young girls will go far, they are going to make the world a better place 🌟

I loved spending time with Year 10 Citizenship students at St Peter’s for UK Parliament Week. We talked about: 👉 How we tackle violence against women and girls 👉 The pressures young people face when thinking about higher education 👉 Their views on votes at 16

Yesterday, I brought together schools, our universities, and the amazing third-sector organisations working with children and families in Bournemouth so they could share their experiences of children’s social care with Josh MacAlister, Minister for Children and Families.

Children are 20% of our population, and 100% of our future. I’ve secured an £18 million national fund, confirmed in yesterday's Budget, and now I’m pushing for Bournemouth East to benefit.

Bournemouth’s full of young people with potential. New funding announced in today's Budget means our small and medium-sized businesses can take on apprentices under 25 for free, helping that talent turn into real careers.