After almost 20 years working as a barrister, I came into politics in July 2024 to serve the community I love.
Folkestone and Hythe is where my children grew up, where I served as a trustee of a local charity, and where the most beautiful coastline, sunrises and sunsets unite the community in a love for this wonderful area.
My mother worked as a care assistant her whole life, having come here from the Philippines in the 1970s. My father was an engineer from London. My parents’ values of hard work, respect and compassion drive everything I do.
Folkestone and Hythe was for so many years forgotten by Westminster. Not any longer.
As your first ever Labour MP, I will fight every day to improve your lives and be your voice in Parliament, so we can make this area the best it can be for everyone.
LATEST NEWS
Media
My Adjournment Debate Speech about Lindsay and Craig Foreman
Lindsay and Craig Foreman - My Q to the FCDO
LET'S GET FREIGHT OFF THE ROADS AND ON TO RAIL IN KENT!
Ministry of Justice Questions 19.05.26
Times Radio Interview - 11/11/2026
Book a one-to-one surgery appointment
Request to attend a local coffee meeting
Send me a message
Exciting to see that Virgin Trains has been granted track access by the ORR, enabling it to run as many as 20 daily return services using the HS1 line between St Pancras and the Channel Tunnel.
I know that Virgin has plans to run services between St Pancras and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.
We also in this conversation can’t forget about Ashford - Ashford International needs to be an international station again.
Virgin was right to recognise that there is significant public interest in the reintroduction of international services at Ashford and Ebbsfleet - but they want the international parts of the stations to be reopened first.
I look forward to working with my Kent Labour MP colleagues to continue our campaign to reopen Ashford International when Parliament returns.
#Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh #AshfordInternational ... See MoreSee Less
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Great news from Heidi Alexander that disabled people across England will be able to travel on buses for free, all day, every day.
Time restrictions on bus passes for disabled people will be lifted from April 2027, benefitting 28000 people in Kent and opening up access to education, training, work and cultural opportunities.
This is backed by £60 million of funding from within existing DfT and DWP budgets.
Proud of this Labour government for what it’s doing to help bus users - this comes on top of the £2 bus fare cap, the Bus Services Act, which allows local authorities to setup their own bus companies and we will have provided a fourfold increase in Local Transport Grants by 2029.
#Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh #buses ... See MoreSee Less
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Annoyed with potholes? Me too! If you have any you want fixing, send them here: tonyvaughan.co.uk/potholes
#folkestone #hythe #romneymarsh #potholes ... See MoreSee Less
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Keep our beaches clean! Read my article on this below and at tonyvaughan.co.uk/articles
#folkestone #hythe #romneymarsh #littering ... See MoreSee Less
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Fantastic picture of the solar eclipse yesterday taken by Sandgate resident and joint creator of the ‘Friends of the Leas Lift’ James Walker Osborn!
#Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh #SolarEclipse ... See MoreSee Less
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Disgraceful to hear about a sewage leak in Dymchurch in the middle of summer. I wrote to the Environment Agency today about the source of potential spikes in the area, sampling data and to ask the EA to conduct microbial source tracing on recent high samples as per their bathing water action plan.
You can read my letter to the Environment Agency regarding this issue below.
#folkestone #hythe #romneymarsh #dymchurch #sewage ... See MoreSee Less
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Wishing all students receiving their A-Level results tomorrow the best of luck.
If you are reading this and you didn't get the grades that you hoped for, the last thing you should do is let that define you. There's plenty of life to live and so more opportunities to achieve. The future is bright, especially for our young people in #Folkestone, #Hythe and #RomneyMarsh! ... See MoreSee Less
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Very proud of the announcement today from Yvette Cooper on community mental health support.
100 new community mental health centres will be opening, offering walk-in support.
59 new mental health emergency departments providing specialist care.
The first community mental health centres will be open as soon as this autumn - some will be newly built, others will be in existing community and high street locations.
This is about bringing mental health care closer to communities and ensuring people get early diagnosis, treatment and support.
And it’s about building a caring society, where mental and physical health have parity of esteem.
Far too many people who need mental health care today find that the A&E department is the only place they can be seen - that must end.
#Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh #mentalhealthmatters ... See MoreSee Less
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If you’re looking for a brilliant day out this summer, come to #Folkestone!
Seaside sauna, great fish and chips and seafood, amazing independent businesses, a vibrant arts scene - I agree with Rob Beckett!
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Rob Beckett raves about great family day out in Kent seaside town
www.kentonline.co.uk
Comedian Rob Beckett has hailed a Kent seaside town as home to the "best fish and chips" he's ever eaten after a recent visit.9 CommentsComment on Facebook