📰 In my Mid Sussex Times column this week, I wrote about the lessons we cannot ignore from the state’s failures towards women, from forced adoption to DES and unsafe maternity care. Read here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/your-world/p...

A lovely start to the day yesterday at the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast in Westminster Hall. It was lovely to be joined by Mid Sussex constituents Revd Will Kemp and Revd Daniel Valentine for a morning of reflection, conversation and community. ⛪️

📰 In this week’s Monday Mail, I reflect on how the state has repeatedly failed women, from forced adoption and DES to unsafe maternity care. I’m also asking residents to share their experiences of corridor care ahead of a debate in Parliament. Read here: www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

Wednesday was a special day in Parliament. I was proud to sponsor the National Portage Association's very first event in Parliament, bringing together practitioners, families and parliamentarians from across the political spectrum. I'm looking forward to helping keep the conversation going.

Two years on from being elected as MP for Mid Sussex, it's been a privilege to represent our communities in Parliament and at home. 🏛️📍 8,547 constituent cases opened, 150 speeches in Parliament, 131 written questions to Ministers and 235 votes cast. Thank you for your trust. 💛

I added my name to the cross party letter penned by my colleague @tomgordonld.bsky.social asking @dcmsgovuk.bsky.social to intervene in the case of #MashaAndTheBear Russian aggression must never be enabled through laissez faire regulation in the UK

Score for Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson @maxwilkinson.bsky.social The Government is now letting pubs stay open for this weekend’s game after he raised the issue in Parliament today! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

📰 In my Mid Sussex Times column this week, I wrote about why our local libraries matter and this year's Summer Reading Challenge. 📚 I hope lots of children across Mid Sussex enjoy taking part in 'Read to the Beat' this summer. Read more:

Parents shouldn't have to go to court to access savings meant for their disabled child. @johnmilnehorsham.bsky.social, Ten Minute Rule Bill would fix this unfair loophole, making it easier for families to access Child Trust Funds and Junior ISAs. The Government must act.

🎾 Great to meet with the Lawn Tennis Association in Parliament to discuss growing tennis participation across Mid Sussex. Best of luck to Burgess Hill’s Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool as they defend their Gentlemen’s Doubles title at Wimbledon! ⭐

This week's Monday Mail is about the 'unforced errors' of Keir Starmer. From cutting the Winter Fuel Payment to appointing Mandelson as US Ambassador, Starmer's premiership is littered with decisions that he did not have to take www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article... Image ©House of Commons

£3 a trip, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year - that’s the unfair cost disabled people in North Yorkshire face just to get to work before 9am. Disability bus passes shouldn’t have time restrictions on them. Agree with me and Andy Burnham? Sign the petition 👇 www.tomgordon.org.uk/disabled-bus...

📰 In my Mid Sussex Times column this week, I wrote about the importance of protecting post offices across Mid Sussex as Hassocks faces uncertainty about the future of its post office. You can read it here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/your-world/p...

☀️ Red heat alerts are in place across parts of West Sussex this week. Please take care, stay hydrated, keep cool and check in on neighbours, friends and family who may be more vulnerable. More advice: www.westsussex.gov.uk/campaigns/ke...

📰 In this week’s Monday Mail, I reflect on ten years since the EU referendum, why Britain’s relationship with Europe still matters in Mid Sussex, and updates on the under-16 social media ban and school visits. Read/sign up:

💜 For a long time, I have been pushing for fair, sustainable funding for hospices. This week I joined Together for Short Lives and children’s hospice leaders in Parliament to discuss the vital care they provide and why long-term support remains so important.

"Patients waiting in pain cannot afford further delays" says @alisonebennett.bsky.social "And dentists considering their future in the NHS cannot afford further uncertainty." It's all too easy to say change is 'Coming Soon'. What we need is a clear timetable and sustainable funding.

🤝 Earlier this week, I joined Ed Davey as he set out the Liberal Democrats’ plan for a new deal with Europe. Rebuilding our relationship with the EU would help boost growth, bring down costs and strengthen our shared security. Back the petition: libdems.org.uk/trade

📰 In my Mid Sussex Times column this week, I wrote about unpaid carers across Mid Sussex and the need to build genuinely carer friendly communities. You can read it here:

Happy Sussex Day 💛 Lovely to mark the occasion in Parliament with fellow Sussex Lib Dem MPs and Sir Lindsay Hoyle. From our villages and green spaces to local businesses and community groups, I am proud to represent such a special part of Sussex.

In this week’s Monday Mail, I’ve written about Carers Week in Mid Sussex, better employment rights for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children, and the row over the Government’s Defence Investment Plan. You can read it here: www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

I had such a lovely afternoon in Surbiton with Ed on Thursday, talking to Carers about the varied experiences and challenges they face looking after their loved ones.

9 Health Secretaries in 10 years, and the NHS is still letting women down. Helen has more on our demands for a serious women's health strategy. ⬇️

It was lovely to welcome unpaid carers from across Mid Sussex to my Carers Week coffee morning today. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences. I will keep pushing for better support and recognition for unpaid carers in Mid Sussex and in Parliament. #CarersWeek

In my latest Mid Sussex Times column, I wrote about the recent water supply failures affecting residents, schools and businesses in Staplefield and Burgess Hill. You can read it here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/your-world/p...

Wes said it himself - we need actions and not just words. Yet 18 months later there's still no data. It's just not good enough - I'm not sure 'shortly' really cuts it anymore. We need the data, and a plan to end the national disgrace of corridor care.

Unpaid carers deserve recognition, support and respect. This #CarersWeek, I’ll be meeting carers, raising their experiences in Parliament and continuing to speak up for carers across Mid Sussex and beyond. #CarersWeek2026

In this week’s Monday Mail, I’ve written about South East Water’s continued failures in Mid Sussex, the need for better palliative care, and the importance of avoiding division after the murder of Henry Nowak. You can read this week’s email here: prod.cdn.everyaction.com/emails/van/L...

I went door knocking in Staplefield today, with the village's newly minted County Councillor Lauren Lloyd. We thought it would be helpful to talk to residents after the water outages that the village experienced during the week. I didn't expect to find tap water flowing down the main road.

Reliable broadband is essential for work, education, business and staying connected. I am concerned that Mid Sussex premises have been removed from the Government’s City Fibre contract, with little detail on what happens next. Residents and businesses deserve certainty. Read my letter below.

I visited Station Road after repeated basement flooding hit local businesses. At Mansell McTaggart, water reached around 1.5 metres, damaging phone and internet equipment. South East Water must urgently explain the cause, stop the flooding and keep businesses updated.

In my Mid Sussex Times column today, I wrote about the pressure many young people face during exam season, and the importance of looking beyond results day to what comes next. You can read it here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/your-world/p...

In today's Monday Mail: - Lindfield Village Day - Despairing of South East Water - One shortcoming of Blair's essay - Young people and work You can read this week's email here: www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

Yesterday was Lindfield Village Day. The Haywards Heath Lib Dems always pull out all the stops with their tombola, and it was lovely to say hello to some of the other voluntary groups who work so hard in the village and across Mid Sussex.

Plumbing - 2026's hottest recruitment ground for parliamentary candidates is weirdly absent from Kemi's list of the professions she wants to recruit the next gen of Conservative MPs from www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05...

Thank you to everyone who came along to today’s advice surgery in Hurstpierpoint. I hold regular weekly surgery appointments for residents, either in person or remotely. If you would like to arrange a time to speak with me, please get in touch. 📧 [email protected] ☎️ 01444 224458

This week, I wrote about a brilliant afternoon in Hassocks at a twinning event with friends from Montmirail in France and Wald-Michelbach in Germany. www.sussexexpress.co.uk/your-world/p...

The Climate Change Committee has warned that we are unprepared for drought as the climate changes. With significant housing targets in the South East, I want to know whether the government has a plan to balance the two. www.theccc.org.uk/publication/...

I hope you are enjoying Bank Holiday Monday In my weekly newsletter I have written about: - Visiting the UK Dementia Research Institute - Legal aid for those with severe mental ill health - Our ties with Europe - Plus a podcast recommendation www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

📰 In my Middy column and my Monday Mail this week, I discuss housing pressures, my concerns over recent planning changes, and why communities must be part of the decisions that shape their future. Read my Monday Mail here: www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

This #DementiaActionWeek, we were delighted to welcome @vikkislademp.bsky.social & @alisonebennett.bsky.social to UK DRI at King’s Researchers showcased how they're uncovering new opportunities to diagnose early & slow onset by studying underlying processes & harnessing data science advances.

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...