The government's relationship with Palantir stinks. Palantir has links to Mandelson and Epstein, and it's extending its web of influence across our public sector services. That's why I think the govt must be more open about the deals between Palantir and the MoD.

Great to see @alisonebennett.bsky.social wearing her #HeartMonth BHF badge today in the House of Commons Chamber, showing her support for heart health! 📣A reminder for MPs, please wear your badges throughout February to also show your support ❤️

The government can't legislate its way out of the PM's poor judgement. The PM's Chief Secretary outlined plans to 'improve processes', in the wake of the Mandelson scandal. Improved processes are all well and good, but they don't improve a PM's faltering judgement.

📰 In this week’s Monday Mail I shared my thoughts on the Epstein Files and what is says about listening to victims rather than the powerful. I also talked about a lovely visit to the Burgess Hill Creative Community. You can read it here: www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

📰 In my latest Middy column, I discussed the issue of 'Corridor Care' in Sussex hospitals and what needs to be done to eradicate this from our health service, for the benefit of both patients and staff. Have a read here: www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

Burgess Hill Creative Community is a friendly social hub which provides a space for people to take part in skill-sharing activities like crafts, pottery and weaving. Learn more about the BHCC at www.bhcreativecommunity.co.uk or watch their video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Dj9...

Once again, I have written to South East Water to ask for data on customer demand and leakages over the winter, after they responded to my Facebook posts and blamed customer demand for the persisting hosepipe ban. This contradicts their previous communications to customers and stakeholders.

Today is World Cancer Day. We've made great strides in the fight against cancer, but there's much more to do. It's fantastic charities like 'Walk The Walk' that keep us moving in the right direction.

It doesn't matter where you live in Mid Sussex, you tell me about the dire state of repair of our roads. Roads were left to crumble under the previous Conservative government. I spoke in Parliament today and asked the Minister for Local Transport to do better. The Lib Dems will keep pushing.

This morning, I was on BBC Sussex talking about my petition calling for South East Water to end the hosepipe ban: www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

📰In this week's Monday Mail: - A moving exhibition marking Holocaust Memorial Day. - Why do we still have a hosepipe ban? - The spiralling costs of the Royal Sussex County Hospital's helipad. www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

Today, I wrote to South East Water asking why their assessment of groundwater levels differ to those of the Environment Agency, and when they intend to lift the hosepipe ban. Sign my petition calling on South East Water to lift the hosepipe ban here: www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/campaigns/en...

A bit drizzly this afternoon in Burgess Hill, but it was really good to be out chatting to folk on the doorstep after a few weeks off. Thank you 🙏

Investment in hospitals is essential, and if a helipad helps critically ill patients reach care faster, that matters. But when NHS capital is so constrained, a £16m project that’s late and limited in use raises serious questions about planning and accountability.

January has been anything but dry, and Ardingly Reservoir is now full. Yet Mid Sussex residents are still under a hosepipe ban. Please sign my petition calling for the hosepipe ban to be lifted. South East Water need to lift the ban now! www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/campaigns/en...

Last week, I hosted a roundtable with local paediatrician Anna and her colleagues Binita and Kate, who have seen first-hand how excessive screentime affects children and parents physically and mentally. It was invaluable to hear their perspectives and what they believe the next steps are.

South East Water bills are going up by 7%, despite them leaving tens of thousands of people in the region without water over winter. This is unacceptable. So, today I asked the Leader of the House of Commons for a debate on restructuring the water industry into a mutual ownership model.

📰 In my Middy column this week, I talk about a recent visit to Oathall Community College and speaking to young people about social media. Have a read here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/politic...

It was such a great event yesterday with lots of brilliant Sussex producers.

Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 #LightTheDarkness

🪑 Local business Alexander Rose has made a name for itself selling sustainable, high-quality garden furniture across the UK, even exporting to mainland Europe. Brexit and the Covid pandemic have brought their own challenges, but this business has made a real success of itself.

It was a pleasure to hold a 'Taste of Sussex' event in Parliament today - along with some of my fellow Sussex Liberal Democrat MPs, John Milne and James MacCleary. Mid Sussex's own J Cocoa supplied an excellent sweet treat. It was great to see so many local businesses represented.

Today is Holocaust Memorial Day. Every year, we remember the millions of people who were systematically murdered in the Holocaust. Their stories remind us of our responsibility to ensure the world never returns to those horrors.

Great to spend time last Friday with GPs and staff from the Sidney West practice in Burgess Hill, understanding more about the pressures they face looking after their patients.

I recently signed a cross-party letter, organised by my Lib Dem colleague Steve Darling MP, calling on the government to finally do the right thing for WASPI women and bring forward compensation proposals.

📰 In this week’s Monday Mail, I discuss the impact of excessive screen time on child development, my thoughts regarding recent global events as well as some recommendations that have passed the 'mum test'. Read here: www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

It's time to get serious about funding defence. Everyone is saying we 'must do more' but it's all talk. Our plan to issue bonds for funding defence will raise £20bn and give our allies the reassurance that Britain is serious about defending Europe. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Plumpton College in Sussex has pledged £500k to support skills and training for the English wine industry. During the week, I asked a Labour MP if he agreed that we need to build on this so that we have people with the right skills to support one of our rural success stories.

I was on BBC Sussex's breakfast show this morning discussing the government's cancellation of local elections. It's a farcical decision and flies in the face of democracy. You can listen to the full interview on BBC sounds playback from 7:10am.

The stronger our ties to our European partners are, the better. Cutting-edge organisations based in Mid Sussex such as CSL Behring and Roche Diagnostics have had a harder time doing business since Brexit. We should be doing everything we can to negotiate a bespoke customs union.

📰 In my Middy column this week, I discuss the recent water crisis in Sussex and Kent, and what this exposes about the fragility of our water supply and the failures of our water companies. Have a read here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/opinion...

South East Water's handling of, and reaction to, the situation across Sussex and Kent over recent weeks has been woeful. Surely item one of their job description is to ensure tap water reaches households?

Hundreds of people have been in contact with me to share their concerns about excessive screen time for children. Anna, a child development doctor in Mid Sussex, sees children every day that have been harmed. It seems the govt. is going in the right direction, I will keep pushing for change.

📰 In this week’s Monday Mail, I discuss how the internet and social media is a double-edged sword, as well as what my party are doing to keep children safe online. Read here: www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

A pleasure to speak at Carers Trust's and the APPG for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers's report launch of our inquiry into barriers faced by young adult carers in accessing higher education, employment or training. We must do better by them. That's good for them and it's good for the country.

This week in my Middy column, I talk about the outrageous possibility that West Sussex County Council might request to delay elections, and the government might say yes. www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

Watching the Jenrick Press Conference: Really hoping a journalist asks him in the manner of Mrs Merton: "What was it about losing the Tory leadership contest that helped you realise that the Tories had broken Britain?"

Yesterday I met the Minister for Housing, Matthew Pennycook, to discuss the challenges in our retirement housing sector - including McCarthy Stone's properties in Mid Sussex. We need to go further if we are to have a sector that is able to support our aging population in a way that is fair.

Tonight's turret meeting will be pretty awkward

With East Grinstead in Mid Sussex District still without water, it's beyond time for South East Water to change its leadership. I called for the CEO to resign in December, and we Lib Dems reiterated the need for change again at PMQs today.

🗳️ We want our county council elections to go ahead in May🗳️ That’s why yesterday I went to West Sussex County Hall in Chichester to demand that the Conservative administration do not accept Labour’s invitation to postpone local elections for a second year in a row.

Today I challenged the Water Minister to look at a duty to cooperate for neighbouring water authorities, following outages over the weekend. South East Water's response to the situation has been woeful. Please visit my Facebook page for fuller updates on the situation.

My Monday Mail returns for 2026. It feels to me like everything is happening everywhere all at once - both in world affairs and for the South East's fresh water supply. You can read my weekly newsletter here ⬇️

📰 In my Middy column this week, I talk about the results of my mobile signal survey, what this has meant for people in Mid Sussex, and what I will be doing to push the government to do better for rural communities. Have a read here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/opinion...

Last night I presented my petition in the House of Commons calling on the government to think again and turn down any request from West Sussex County Council to delay elections in May. @ITVMeridian ran the story on Good Morning Meridian/Britain this morning.

Thank you to everyone who signed my petition calling for elections to West Sussex County Council to go ahead in May. I am presenting it in Parliament this evening. The government cannot let elections be postponed. It would make a mockery of our democracy.

📰 In my first Middy column of 2026, I discuss a recent briefing I had with South East Water and the importance of making sure Mid Sussex has a safe and reliable water supply. Have a read here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/opinion...

Starmer must condemn Trump’s illegal actions in Venezuela

🚨 It's time for Starmer to scrap the Trump NHS tax and fix the social care crisis.

It is clear to me that without urgent steps to get social care properly supported, hospitals and family carers are going to continue to face intolerable strain. Read more in my interview with Care Home Professional. www.carehomeprofessional.com/interview-al...