After almost 20 years working as a barrister, I came into politics in July 2024 to serve the community I love.Â
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.Â
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.Â
Folkestone and Hythe was for so many years forgotten by Westminster. Not any longer.Â
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
Ministry of Justice Questions 19.05.26
Times Radio Interview - 11/11/2026
Dungeness Even with Britain Remade
Debate on Establishing a Maternity Commissioner
Being interviewed at the Marsh Academy!
Times Radio 22.03.26
Book a one-to-one surgery appointment
Request to attend a local coffee meeting
Send me a message
Thank you so much for hosting me on Friday, what a brilliant start to the day! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Spreading disinformation online has real world consequences and can put others at risk. That’s why spreading false information online to whip up hostility can be a criminal offence.
I am shocked to hear that two visitors to our area suffered a hate crime, and a crime of awful violence. I would urge any local residents who know who attacked these men to contact the police. This senseless violence and apparent racism has no place in our communities.
A huge thanks to the police for so quickly explaining the facts, and for their work keeping Lydd and surrounding areas safe.
Let’s show guests to our area the best of us, not the worst.
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Men taking part in international sports competition attacked in ‘unprovoked hate crime’
www.kentonline.co.uk
Three people visiting Kent for an international sports competition were reportedly subjected to a “serious unprovoked hate crime”, police say.16 CommentsComment on Facebook
Lovely being back at #Lydd Town Hall for another surgery.
It’s one of the best parts of this job to meet with constituents and help solve your problems!
Go to www.tonyvaughan.co.uk/surgeries to make an appointment.
#RomneyMarsh #Hythe #Folkestone ... See MoreSee Less
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
What an uplifting evening at the Kent Coast Volunteering Excellence in Volunteering awards ceremony - I was honoured to be on the judging panel.
A huge congratulations to the runners up and winners
Individual:
Lesley - Folkestone Hythe and District Mencap - winner
Darren – Kent Coast Volunteering Community Transport Service – runner up
Barry – Hythe and Saltwood Royal British Legion- runner up
Group:
The Danny Gallivan Trust – joint winner
Romney Marsh Community Hub – joint winner
Hythe, Saltwood and Sandgate Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal- runner up
Youth:
Brockhill Performing Arts College – winner
Kent Marine Cadet Force – runner up
Lyminge Primary Stage Stars - runner
Governance:
Dan - Howletts Wild Animal Trust, Evie Dove Foundation and Rose Ayling-Ellis Foundation, The Folkestone Leas Cliff Company, Goals 4 Girls, Three Hills Sports Club – winner
Mark Champion, St Peter’s C of E Primary School, Folkestone. – runner up
Dhan Kiran Gurung, Ghurkha Memorial Fund – runner up
Corporate:
Holiday Extras - winner
Eurotunnel – runner up
Saga – runner up
Environmental:
Hythe in Bloom – Hythe Civic Society - winner
Go Folkestone Electrical Recycling – runner up
Folkestone Wombles -runner up
Eurotunnel – runner up
You are all true inspirations! ... See MoreSee Less
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Another wonderful local group!
I was privileged to meet the Sunshiners last week in #HytheKent to hear about their vital work supporting local people living with dementia.
I was especially moved to hear one of their members, Tracey, read a poem she had written about how important Sunshiners is to her and to the community - as it was the group’s eleventh birthday. Her poem captures more than I can express in a post, so please do read it!
Hats off to the Sunshiners - I’ll take away my long to do list and look forward to updating you soon.
#Hythekent #folkestone #romneymarsh #nhs #dementia ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Great to meet Dan from Voxiferi Studios today to talk about his Folkestone podcast. Folkestone has such an extraordinary story to tell- its people, culture, creativity and all the brilliant local businesses!
You can listen here 🎧 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/folkestone-the-real-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel/id1811592029
If you want to promote your business get in touch here đź’» uk.voxiferistudios.com/about-voxiferi/ ... See MoreSee Less
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
đźššLET'S GET FREIGHT OFF THE ROADS AND ON TO RAIL IN KENT! đźš‚
If we upgraded our rail infrastructure to match the gauge size of the European mainland, we could move cargo off the road and onto rail.
This would reduce emissions and could go a long way to improving congestion on the M20, potentially alleviating the need for Operation Brock.
#folkestone #hythe #romneymarsh ... See MoreSee Less
28 CommentsComment on Facebook
Today, I pushed the Minister for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan to go further in securing the release of Craig and Lindsay Foreman.
The British couple has been imprisoned in Iran on false charges for over 500 days.
Craig has now been on hunger strike for 27 days, and Lindsay for 18.
This cannot continue.
#freelindsayandcraig ... See MoreSee Less
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Big news for our railways! đźš‚
From last Sunday, May 31st, Britain’s largest train operator (covering Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern, and Gatwick Express) officially enters public ownership.
This is a major milestone in our mission to put passengers before private profit. By bringing these services into public hands, we are focused on tackling the issues that matter most: driving down cancellations, improving reliability, and boosting service frequency.
This is a commitment to a more accountable, integrated, and passenger-centred railway. I support this model of public ownership being extended further, especially in the water industry.
Better journeys are on the way! 🇬🇧
#greatbritishrailways ... See MoreSee Less
8 CommentsComment on Facebook