How have Folkestone, Hythe, and Romney Marsh benefited from Government infrastructure investment since Labour came to power? - East Kent Hospitals Trust: £13 million - Flood defences in our area: £2.8 million - Filling potholes: £67 million across Kent

I condemn the latest Israeli military offensive in Gaza City on Sunday, which killed 31 Palestinians. I am also horrified by the latest Israeli strike in Lebanon which killed 3 children. www.reuters.com/world/middle...

When I first met Palestinian Ambassador last year, he said that the single most important diplomatic step the UK could take would be to recognise Palestine as a State. We have. There can be no two state solution without recognising Palestine’s right to exist. #Palestine #Palestinianrecognition

The Tories' disastrous Brexit project ripped up our returns agreement with the EU. It took a Labour Government to sort out their mess and negotiate a new deal with France. This would never have been possible had we left the European Convention on Human Rights, as the Tories and Reform would like.

Yesterday, I met with KCC Cllr David Wimble at my invitation in Parliament. David and I disagree on many things. But we do agree that politics should serve the people of Romney Marsh, Hythe and Folkestone. I look forward to a new chapter of civility and cooperation going forward.

Fighting for Ashford. We delivered a letter yesterday to the regulator to stress the incredible economic and social benefits of opening up competition and making the right decision for Kent. #Ashfordinternational #Eurostar #Kent #Labour #Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh

Because of Bridget: 🍽️Half of all schoolchildren in #Folkestone, #Hythe and #RomneyMarsh now get free school meals. 👶Parents get 30 hours of funded childcare a week. 👩‍🏫Our state schools have 6,500 more teachers. Bridget is delivering for us. #BackBridget

Great news for Folkestone and Hythe! Our area has been chosen by the Government as a pioneer site to receive a new Neighbourhood Health Team. I'm delighted that our area will help create a blueprint for better community healthcare across the country. #NHS #Healthcare #folkestone #hythe #romneymarsh

Now we've recovered from the insomnia inducing Reform Conference, I'd like to make the serious point that Cllr Kemkaran's comments on vaccines were not only horrifically insulting to the Royal Family, they also showed Reform's health "policy" to be unserious and unsafe.

Vandalism on Royal Military Avenue. True patriots wake up and ask themselves how they can improve their country. They do not vandalise our public infrastructure, defacing signs and costing the taxpayer money. Vandalism is not patriotism.

The freedoms that allow the Reform leader to make preposterous statements on the world stage – the very freedoms that distinguish us from the dictatorships he carelessly invokes – are precisely the ones he seeks to dismantle. Read my article here: www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

Democrat @raskin.house.gov excoriates Nigel Farage for banning journalists from Reform UK events: "I'm asking you a direct question. Why do you ban journalists who oppose your views from coming to your events? Why did you tell local government not to do interviews with your local newspaper?"

Where is Farage? He’s in US - AGAIN - this time conspiring against British online safety laws and sucking up to his tech bros. He should be an MP instead of a wannabe MAGA VIP. #WhereisFarage

Energy drinks are bad news for kids. As a parent, I know that banning sales to under-16s is a long overdue step for the health and wellbeing of our young people.

One of the worst failures of the last government was closing down Sure Start. The IFS found that for every £1 of up-front spending, the programme generated over £2 in total benefits. This Government's Best Start programme will deliver profound educational, economic and social benefits.

Have you protected your children against MMR? Kent's MMR vaccine uptake is below the national target. This quick, free and safe jab is our best defence against potentially serious disease. Contact your GP to book an appointment. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article....

This is a great deal for Britain! Our defence sector has just agreed its biggest ever warship export deal with Norway. This will generate £10 billion for the British economy. We beat the US, France and Germany to this deal. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I’d add two pretty obviously dubious claims in the PE report (read it carefully and you’ll see weasel words creeping in to hide the weaknesses): (1) that the (express) agreement to incorporate the ECHR into NI law with access to courts and remedies doesn’t mean “ECHR as interpreted by the ECtHR);

⁠I was elected on a mandate to hold the Environment Agency and Southern Water to account, to ensure that they do everything they can to improve water quality in our community. That is why I have written to the Environment Agency to ask them to attend the next steering group meeting.

We need to move on from the implausible idea, put forward by those who made false Brexit promises, that UK border security depends on withdrawing from, or reforming, an international treaty The migration deal with France shows that the UK needs the ECHR, writes Labour MP @tonyvaughanmp.bsky.social

Was great to meet with Toby Howe, who is in charge of highways resilience at Kent County Council. The main item on our agenda was Operation Brock, which I appreciate a lot of people have concerns about.

Great news for North Kent College and those wanting to work in the construction sector! North Kent College will receive a share of a £100 million government investment as it becomes one of ten specialist construction colleges across the U.K.

🔋Bring power back to Dungeness 🔋 #Nuclear #Dungeness #Romneymarsh

The PM & Foreign Secretary's announcement on the UK's position on recognition of a Palestinian state is highly significant. The Government is rightly using recognition to put conditions on Israel that would drive desperately needed, positive changes in Gaza. This is the right step to take.

My statement on the situation in Gaza:

Holding a Palestinian flag, and putting up a sign that says nothing about Palestine Action, does not mean you support Palestine Action. Whatever you think about this person's views, the law protects the right to protest peacefully in support of Palestine. The Government have made that very clear.

🏳️‍⚧️🚨 New letter from MPs on trans rights & EHRC Consultation on the #ForWomenScotland ruling. I have written a letter to the EHRC to urgently raise concerns about the Draft Code of Practice consultation after the ruling. I am proud to say that 32 of my colleagues have signed it too.

Recently, 9 EU leaders called for a debate on reform of the human rights Convention. I always welcome debate. But we can do much to solve shared challenges WITHOUT cutting down rights which protect us all. Here’s what I said to the Council of Europe about this yesterday ⬇️

As Chair of the APPG on Refugees, I am happy to welcome Refugee Week #CommunityAsASuperpower. In support of safe routes, I have asked the Government to rethink their position on barring citizenship for those who use irregular routes. #RefugeeWeek #SimpleActs #Folkestone #Hythe

Shocking & shameful racist attacks on Filipinos & others in Northern Ireland. Those behind these hate crimes must face justice, and victims given support. Local leaders must help de-escalate and reject divisive rhetoric fuelling this violence. 🔗 www.reuters.com/world/uk/fil...

How do we decriminalise abortion? (Spoiler alert: by supporting @StellaCreasy ‘s New Clause 20 to the Crime and Policing Bill). parliamentnews.co.uk/how-do-we-de...

***GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF FREE SCHOOL MEALS*** 🍝Over 4,000 children in #Folkestone, #Hythe and #RomneyMarsh will benefit from September 🥘 Children of ALL families on Universal Credit eligible 💷 More money in families’ pockets. Labour is tackling the cost of living crisis!

For Women Scotland case. The EHRC have responded to my letter on their Interim Guidance. They seem to play down its force - describing it only as an “initial spotlight” on the ruling - and refer me to their consultation. I will definitely be responding to the consultation!

Lady Hale is right. www.theguardian.com/law/2025/may...

The UK should recognise Palestinian Statehood. I have signed this letter to the Prime Minister thanking the Government for their work on this issue and calling for the UK to support recognition.

I have written to the Equality and Human Rights Commission asking them to withdraw their interim guidance on single-sex spaces ⬇️. It goes beyond the Supreme Court ruling, increases risks of harassment and violence to trans people, and is contradictory & confusing. @EHRC please act!

I will keep making the case for new nuclear at #Dungeness to bolster growth, jobs and energy security here in our constituency. Read more about my position on new nuclear at Dungeness in this week's #FolkestoneHerald ⤵️

Happy International Women's Day ♀️ A day to celebrate the incredible achievements of women everywhere. This includes in #Folkestone and #Hythe where five local women were finalists in the Kent Women in Business Awards this week. Together, we will break down barriers for women. #IWD2025

📢 NEW SURGERY DATES ANNOUNCED 📢 Come to speak with me at one of my surgeries in Folkestone and Littlestone-on-sea this month. I am here to listen to you and help you with whatever you need 🤝 More details about the surgeries and how to book are below:

Imagine a TFL-style transport system for Kent. This is what Labour's Better Buses Bill and Devolution plans could bring us. This is precisely what we need to improve the quality of bus services for commuters in #Folkestone, #Hythe and #RomneyMarsh.

The Labour Government is serious about tackling violence against women and girls. Introducing Raneem’s Law will save lives. Domestic abuse specialists will be embedded in the 999 control rooms of five police forces under a pilot scheme with a view to extending the scheme nationally.

Had a very productive meeting with Chief Inspector Mark Hedges as part of our regular catch up meetings. We will always work closely together to ensure our communities are safe. Tackling crime will always be a top priority for me!

The £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund is being set up by Lisa Nandy for rebuilding our museums, libraries and heritage sites. I am exploring what financial support could be available for Folkestone and Hythe’s creative industries and facilities from this fund.

From April, the first of 700,000 additional dentist appointments will be rolled out. I will ensure that #Folkestone, #Hythe and #RomneyMarsh feel the benefits of Labour’s Dentistry Rescue Plan. I am already pressing Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board to drive up NHS Dentistry capacity.

Check out this fantastic scheme ⤵️ Sign up if you're interested or share with any future lawyers you know 🙏

Thank you to everyone who attended my listening event in #Hythe on Monday to share your views and experiences with the #NHS. I will make sure that everyone's contributions are reflected in my response to the Government's consultation on the NHS 10 Year Plan.

But competing internationally costs money. Ashton needs our support if he is to compete in this incredible opportunity, as it is self-funded. I kindly ask everyone consider donating to help Ashton make it to Serbia. The donation link is below. www.gofundme.com/f/ashton-pla...

This kid is flying! Pumped to have met Ashton, a 14 year old from #Hythe, who has been selected to represent the England Schools Swimming Team at the World Student Games in Serbia in April, Para class.

Last month, I wrote to the Leader of Kent County Council about ensuring #Folkestone, #Hythe and #RomneyMarsh get our fair share of the £23 million invested by the Government in bus services in Kent. Looking forward to his response… ⤵️