Hospices provide dignity, comfort, and support at the end of life. Despite this, they are too often left to fend for themselves and find funding from charity. That's why I was proud my motion that seeks to do better was passed yesterday at conference.

I had a lot of fun with Surfers Against Sewage in Bournemouth this morning. If we want to be able to enjoy our beaches and seas into the future, the sewage scandal needs to stop and water companies must be held accountable. #stopsewagepollution

In this week's Monday Mail, I discuss some troubling international developments, an urgent need for more Balance at the BBC and a brilliant event celebrating 50 years of St Peter and St James Hospice. Do have a read: www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

Yesterday I spoke in Parliament about our failing Special Educational Needs system. The problems in the system are the fault of the previous Conservative government, not parents. The Labour government must get a grip, do the right thing and invest in supporting our children.

Out dodging the showers and talking to voters in Haywards Heath yesterday

🍰 I had a lovely time on Thursday afternoon at St Peter and St James Hospice's 50 year anniversary, meeting the team and chatting to so many people who form part of the St Peter and St James' family. Thank you for the kind invitation.

📰 In this week's Middy column, I reflect on my ambulance ride out trip, my conversations with local paramedics, and what we need to do to protect our NHS during this 'permacrisis'. Have a read here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/opinion...

It was great to be in Lindfield on Friday, chatting to residents at another one of my local surgeries. Thank you to everyone who came along.

Adoptive families and those in kinship and special guardianship arrangements need and deserve our support. So on Tuesday I asked the Treasury if they agree. It's disappointing that the Minister won't meet Sussex families, but I will keep pushing the government on this issue.

🏠 On Friday, I met with BHT Sussex. BHT Sussex provides housing-related support to residents with complex needs, with the hope that in the future they can move into general needs housing. This conversation was important and eye-opening- thank you for the warm welcome.

Last week, I visited some of Certitude's supported accommodation in London. It was great to see the work that Certitude are doing to support their residents, and I even got to join resident Keith at his birthday tea party!🎂

🌎 Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Yesterday, I attended a reception hosted by Samaritans, raising awareness about suicide prevention and how we can support those who are struggling. If you are finding it difficult to cope, please contact the Samaritans on 116 123.

Today is Back British Farming Day. Farmers put food on our tables, are critical to our food security, and prop up a food and drink industry worth £153.2billion. I will continue to speak up for farmers in Mid Sussex and across the country. The government must #axethefamilyfarmtax.

✉️ During the summer, I wrote to the Prime Minister outlining the concerns that had been shared with me about the situation in Gaza during my Mid Sussex Summer Tour. Last week, I received a response from the Minister for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

It was good to talk to Jacky today, a constituent who travelled from Mid Sussex to talk to me about Gaza, and the abhorrent actions of the Israeli government. We see the conflict along similar lines. The UK government must do more to bring an end to the devastation and death.

In this week's Monday Mail, I talked about one of last week's wins, and how I got the government to do a good thing: www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

🫂 On Thursday, I sponsored a debate in Parliament on the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund. Following the debate, ITV Meridian covered why the Fund matters to the most vulnerable of children and their families. Read the piece here: www.itv.com/news/meridia...

My Middy column this week is about the pausing of Bedelands Academy. I was pleased that just a few hours after it was published online the Cabinet Member finally emailed me with a response to the questions I asked over 3 weeks ago. Read here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/opinion...

I'm about to lead a debate seeking answers on cuts to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund. We've had some good news of it's extension this morning. So I'm looking forward to hearing what else the Minister has to say.

🧡 On Friday, I caught up with Giles, Chief Executive of St Catherine's Hospice. We talked about their current challenges and pressures they face, and how to best support their delivery of exceptional end-of-life care. Thank you, Giles, for welcoming me back to St Catherine's.

Ever hour in the UK, 5 lives are lost to sepsis. But by being better informed, we can catch it early and save lives - as Harry Redknapp told me today. Why not test your knowledge too, and be in with a chance of meeting Harry, by playing Sepsis Savvy's quiz: sepsissavvy.co.uk

🚑 Last week, after meeting SECAmb CEO Simon, I toured the Gatwick Make Ready Centre and went on a ride out with paramedics Luke and Des. It was humbling and impressive to see them in action. I learned so much in those few hours. Thank you for letting me join you.

The Monday Mail returns! This week: ✨ Mid Sussex summer tour & local councils ✨ Reflections from New York & Ellis Island ✨ Why faster asylum processing matters ✨ A book + podcast recommendation Read and sign up here: www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

📰 In this week's Middy column, I discuss Universal Quantum in Haywards Heath. I was pleased that Secretary of State, Peter Kyle MP, accepted my invitation to visit Mid Sussex's own Silicon Valley. Read more here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/community/po...

📍 Albourne On Thursday, I headed to Albourne to sit down with parish councillors for the last meeting of my Mid Sussex Summer Tour. We chatted about planning, house building, speeding as well as other local concerns affecting their village. Thank you all for meeting with me.

🏚️ It was great to meet Calley at the Park Centre on Tuesday, to have a look around and chat about the future plans for this community hub. The Park Centre will be open from the 6th September, which is their grand opening. Wishing you all the best with this new adventure.

📚 On Tuesday, I visited the Cuckfield Museum in the Queen's Hall. I was welcomed by Phillipa and Sue who guided me through the impressive collections. I recommend visiting; it's open Wednesday-Saturday mornings from February to December. Thank you both for showing me around.

📰 In this week's Middy column, I discuss how sewage spills and the reckless behaviour of water companies are polluting our rivers and seas, spoiling our waterways and summer fun for many people in Mid Sussex. Have a read here:

🍾 Congratulations to all students receiving their GCSE results today. No matter what your results are, you should be proud of the hard work, determination, and resilience you've shown over the last few years. Wishing you all the best with your future endeavours.

🤝 Successful canvassing in Burgess Hill with many productive doorstep conversations. If you have a question, or need support with an issue, don't wait for a door knock. You can email my office at [email protected].

🫵 Do you have an issue that you would like some support with? Are you interested in discussing local or national issues that are important to you? I am available to meet with constituents, either virtually or in-person:

🙏 Thank you to everyone I met on the Mid Sussex Summer Tour. It was great to discuss our shared hopes and priorities for our community. I will take everything I have learned back to Westminster with me in September, so that I continue to champion Mid Sussex in all I do.

📰 In this week's Middy column, I reflect on the second week of my Mid Sussex Summer Tour, and the valuable lessons I have learned from speaking to so many of you over the last few weeks. Have a read here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/opinion...

🍀 Good luck to all students receiving their results today. Whatever your next steps—university, apprenticeships, work, or training—I wish you the very best. Thank you to teachers, families and support staff for their hard work throughout the year.

🚪 It was great to meet so many of you on the doorstep whilst canvassing in Haywards Heath last week. Thank you to everyone who took the time to chat with us.

📍 Haywards Heath On my final stop last week, I sat down with Haywards Heath Town Council to discuss all things Haywards Heath, their brilliant plans to reach young carers, as well as their successful community warden project. Thank you for having me.

📍 Cuckfield On Friday, I went back to Cuckfield to meet with parish councillors. We had the opportunity to discuss Cuckstye, policing, and their hopes for their village going forward. Thank you all for making the time to meet with me.

I had a wonderful time at Ashton House Nursing Home's BBQ in Haywards Heath on Friday. It was great to meet the owners, Gaj and Kathy, and manager Bincy, as well as their dedicated team of carers and nurses. Thank you for the invitation; I hope to see you all again soon.

📍 Hassocks On Thursday afternoon, I met with parish councillors from Hassocks. We chatted about social care, funding for hospices, digital exclusion, and rising energy bills. Another positive meeting with local representatives, thank you all!

📍 Poynings I held a pop-up event at Rushfields Plant Centre on Thursday for local residents. We discussed footpath access, speeding, and the impact of NICs increases on businesses. Thanks to everyone who attended and to Colin, Kathryn, and the team at Rushfields for their warm welcome.

Bedelands Academy paused. This must not mean “cancel.” Burgess Hill families deserve transparency on pupil forecasts, costs, & land guarantees. Full BBC story 👉 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #MidSussex #BedelandsAcademy #BurgessHill

📍 Lindfield Stop 8 on my Mid Sussex Summer Tour was Lindfield, where I met Trevor, Andrew and Amy. We discussed their hopes for the village, playgrounds, speeding, as well as devolution in Sussex. Thank you for a lovely chat and some delicious homemade cake!

📍 Lindfield Rural Yesterday afternoon, I met with parish councillors from Lindfield Rural. We discussed local infrastructure, devolution, as well votes for 16 year-olds and keeping our high streets thriving. It was great to sit down with you all.

📰 In this week's Middy column, I discuss the first week of my Mid Sussex Summer Tour, meeting residents and parish councils in Bolney, Twineham, Fulking, Pyecombe and Burgess Hill. It has been wonderful to chat to so many of you. Have a read here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/opinion...

📍 Warninglid Yesterday I held a pop-up event in Warninglid for residents of Warninglid and Staplefield. We got the chance to talk about a wide range of issues, including how to preserve and protect village life, radiotherapy provision, and speeding. Thank you for coming.

🗣️ I support a two-unitary approach for local government reorganisation in West Sussex to keep decision-making local. West Sussex residents and businesses can share their views in a public survey open until 13th August. Participate here: www.shapingwestsussex.org/p/c/shaping-...

📍 Ansty and Staplefield Yesterday afternoon, I met with parish councillors from Ansty and Staplefield. We chatted about the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, house building, and dangerous driving in the local area. Thank you for making the time to see me, it was great to talk.

📍 Cuckfield Week 2 of my Mid Sussex Summer Tour began in Cuckfield. With residents I discussed a wide range of topics, including anti-social behaviour, speeding, and building an immigration system that is functioning and fair. Thank you to those who came to chat to me.

Today's Monday Mail: ✉️ A Letter to the Prime Minister✉️ On Thursday, I wrote to the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to share with him what people across Mid Sussex have been saying to me about Gaza during the first week of my Mid Sussex Summer Tour. 📬 www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

As I said in The Argus on Friday- "It is frankly outrageous that families are being forced to limit their water usage this summer, all the while South East Water allows millions of litres of clean water to be wasted through leaks." Read more here: www.theargus.co.uk/news/2535540...