It's good to laugh.

Mid Sussex is being asked to take 50% of Crawley’s unmet housing need plus additional need from Brighton & Hove. This isn’t about local failure — it’s a broken system. Read my letter to the SoS.

A great start to the day hosting another Business Breakfast this morning☕️ I got to chat to local business owners, hear about their experiences, and discuss the road ahead. One thing is for sure: business owners are not interested in the Whitehall soap opera. They are crying out for change.

It was a real pleasure and honour to attend the Pohela Boishakh celebrations on Sunday at the Kings Weald Centre in Burgess Hill as Chief Guest of the Sussex Bangladeshi Caterers' Association. Shubho Noboborsho to all celebrating!

Thank you to Dr Katie Spensley & Dr Katie Archibald, for welcoming me to Lindfield Medical Centre last week. We had a frank conversation about the challenges facing primary care, the shortfalls of the constantly changing GP contract, and what it is like being the front door to the rest of the NHS.

In today's Monday Mail newsletter I reflected on the Liberal Democrats' brilliant results in last week's elections to West Sussex County Council, and the challenges posed by the breakdown in support for the two old parties. www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

It was a real pleasure to visit Oathall Vets today - and meet the amazing team. They are rightly proud of the fact they continue to operate independently, something which sadly is becoming rare. We are so lucky to have Oathall in the heart of our community doing such important work.

🔶 Raising a glass to a fantastic set of local elections results here in Mid Sussex Nine brilliant Liberal Democrats councillors have been elected, ready and eager to serve their towns and villages. I am so proud of our lovely hardworking team. Well done everyone.

The CEO of South East Water, David Hinton, has finally resigned. I and my Lib Dem colleagues have been calling for this since before Christmas. South East Water now need to get a grip and clean up their act, so we can all trust our water supply again. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A vote this Thursday for anyone else but the Lib Dems here in West Sussex risks a Reform Council. Please vote for your Liberal Democrat candidate on May 7th. Let’s not risk Reform. #MidSussex www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

If you don't want to be represented by a Reform councillor after Thursday's elections, check out the Stop Reform website for the best tactical voting advice for each area in West Sussex. stopreformuk.vote/local/west-s...

We enjoyed a warm reception and sunny weather yesterday afternoon talking to people in Hurstpierpoint ahead of polling day on Thursday.

Today's Monday Mail is about prorogation, Thursday's local elections and a chance encounter with a dragon. www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

Maternity services are failing women. Mothers and babies deserve better. We are calling for a maternity commissioner, safer hospitals, one-to-one midwife care, and a consultant on every ward 24/7.

When Liberal Democrat councils are doing this well, it’s no surprise even Kemi Badenoch wants a share of the credit.

On Radio 5 Live's MP Panel this morning, I set out why the Liberal Democrats were right to call for the King's visit to the USA to be cancelled. As we saw overnight, Trump embarrassed the King by divulging their conversation about Iran - a clear breach of protocol.

A large part of my life is talking to people, so this week's Monday Mail was prompted by three different types of conversation that I have had recently. On the doorstep, in an advice surgery, and with a journalist. Read it here: www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

"The school-gate mobiliser" In today's Sunday Times Magazine, journalist Matt Rudd has written profiles of a few of the Liberal Democrats' 72 MPs - including me. You can read the piece online if you have a subscription, or the paper is available to buy today. www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Glorious day in Sussex supporting Caroline Ward our candidate in Haywards Heath Town, and then helping put up a couple of extra garden posters. If you would like a poster for your garden or your window, you can request one here: www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/poster

I raised the issue of failures in the governance of Multi-Academy Trusts with ministers. Failures at the University of Brighton Academy Trust were left unchecked for far too long. The government acknowledges that there is an issue here, which is welcome, but we need to ensure that action follows.

Yesterday, I held an Advice Surgery in Haywards Heath. It was an opportunity to talk to local residents about a wide variety of issues. If you would like to request an appointment at a future surgery, please email [email protected].

An unexpected visitor to Parliament this week was Prestur the Icelandic Horse. These gentle, intuitive animals help to support neurodivergent children and adults, building confidence, encouraging emotional bonds, and opening up more inclusive ways to engage in equestrian sport and beyond.

PVL produces the livery for 75–80% of the UK’s emergency service vehicles. However, recent changes to procurement rules have created significant challenges for PVL. I set out those challenges to the responsible minister yesterday in Parliament.

In my Mid Sussex Times column this week I wrote about the very important review of Sussex maternity services that the Secretary of State announced last week. You can read the column here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/your-world/p...

The Monday Mail is back. This week I have written about the Sussex maternity review, and the welcome news that Donna Ockenden has been appointed to lead this work after two years of campaigning by the 'Truth for our Babies' families. www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

The obtaining of transcripts from family courts can be the difference between justice and injustice, and long delays are pushing people into financial hardship. I'm glad to hear the government is working on it but I will keep pushing Ministers to ensure change is achieved as fast as possible.

Rising fuel prices and soaring bills due to the conflict in the Middle East are hitting families hard, especially those in rural communities who rely on heating oil. As I said recently on BBC Politics SE, any support for rising costs must include those who aren’t connected to the National Grid.

Mid Sussex recently made headlines as Lindfield village was named the best place to live in the South East! It is great to see Lindfield being celebrated for all it has to offer. Read more here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/...

If Keir Starmer lied about Peter Mandelson’s vetting, he has to go. Labour promised to clean up our politics. Now they're just as bad as the Conservatives.

📰 In last week's Middy column, I talk about the recent SEND coffee morning that I hosted in Haywards Heath for Mid Sussex residents. You can read it here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/politic...

We have warned from the start that the UK has to avoid being dragged into another war in the Middle East. Starmer must now let Parliament vote on the terms of the agreement with the US for their use of UK bases. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/ce...

Potholes plague our roads in Mid Sussex. The Conservatives have run West Sussex County Council for decades, leaving our roads in a mess. I recently asked the Leader of the House of Commons about our situation. He agreed the local authority simply must do better.

My thoughts are with the families of the two young people who tragically lost their lives to Meningitis in Kent this weekend. Earlier today I responded to the Secretary of State's statement on behalf of my Lib Dem colleagues: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVxV...

On Friday I held a coffee morning for parents of SEND children. We chatted about people's experiences and discussed the government's SEND white paper. If you would like to hear about any future events, or if you think I can help please email: [email protected]

Really interesting conversations out talking to people in Haywards Heath earlier today with Kirsten one of our talented candidates.

📰 This week’s Monday Mail was dedicated to all things water. You can read it here: prod.cdn.everyaction.com/emails/van/L...

Yesterday, to mark #youngcarersactionday, I joined Young Carers from Barnet, Suffolk and Manchester at Downing Street. We took 15,000 postcards with a message to the PM from young carers from across the country: we need more support in schools to balance learning with our caring role.

I AM HIRING! I am looking for a full time caseworker to join my team here in Mid Sussex. Are you an empathetic and effective communicator? Do you have casework or customer service experience? Do you want help the people of Mid Sussex? If so, take a look: www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...

Young carers do incredible and often unsung work looking after disabled and seriously ill family members. But as a result, they often don't have the same opportunities as their peers to succeed at school, and beyond. That's why I think they should receive the pupil-premium.

On #IWD, it's a real treat to have been out supporting two of our brilliant women candidates, Caro and Lauren who are beginning their campaigns to serve on West Sussex County Council. My gratitude as ever, goes out to all the men - like David - who support and advocate for women's representation. 🙏

📰 In my latest Middy column, I wrote about the government's plans to reform the SEND system and the importance of getting this right for families. You can read it here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/opinion...

With A&E in crisis, services are under huge strain.  Lib Dems have a plan to fix emergency care. Lib Dem MPs visited London Ambulance Service HQ to thank the staff keeping Londoners safe.

Happy World Book Day! Books open up the world to all of us. They are such a vital part of how we learn, think and create - and reading them keeps our brains healthy. Keep reading!

📰 In Monday's weekly newsletter, I wrote about: • The government’s plans for schools and the SEND system • The Lib Dems' opposition day debates on Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and social media regulation • What’s happening in Iran and the Middle East www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

On Friday, a burst sewer led to sewage spilling into woodland and Pook Bourne near Burgess Hill. The EA has told me of a “significant impact”. It was contained by Southern Water but they are now tankering sewage until it is repaired. I visited today, am asking questions and will keep you updated.

The govt expect cash-strapped councils to save money by merging with other councils. But these mergers are going to cost huge amounts of time and money. Councils are going to be out of pocket as a result, and as for whether or not the long-term savings will prove real - the only time will tell.

Glad to miss the rain and get out to talk to residents in Haywards Heath today.

Portage - Early Years SEND Support It was a real pleasure to meet Pam and Glenys from the National Portage Association (NPA) during the week. It was a timely reminder of the value of early intervention in supporting children with SEND.

It was good to join our Hassocks councillors at the village market this morning, and chat to people enjoying a welcome spot of dry weather.

It's Friday! We Lib Dems are looking forward to getting out over the weekend to speak to people right across Mid Sussex. If you see us, do come and say hello. If you want to get involved in our county council campaign, why not volunteer? www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/volunteer