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

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This Labour Government is taking steps to improve our high streets. This includes:

Councils having more powers to stop ‘vape shops’ from opening

Extended Closure Orders: we will legislate to double the maximum length of Closure Orders from 6 to 12 months, giving police and local authorities more time to investigate premises linked to organised crime and stop rogue operators reopening too quickly.

More support to improve shopfronts, signs and the overall look and feel of high streets, backed by the Planning Advisory Service

I spoke with Hemanshu Patel, President of the Federation of Independent Retailers, from Saltwood General Stores about how these changes can help his business.

If you have any information about illegal trading, fill out the survey (link in bio)
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If you want to share your views on how to improve SEND provision in Kent, please fill out the survey! Deadline is 2nd November.

loom.ly/3XyRnUw

#folkestone #hythe #romneymarsh #kent📣 Parents and carers: help shape Kent's SEND improvement plan.

Following the recent SEND inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission, we're developing the Local Area Strategic Improvement Plan required by inspectors, and we're asking for your feedback before it is finalised.

The plan focuses on improving the things families tell us matter most:

💬 Understanding children's experiences and outcomes
💬 Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans and annual reviews
💬 Communication and working with families
💬 Access to support and services
💬 Preparation for adulthood and independence
💬 Consistency of support across Kent

We know families have a wide range of experiences of SEND services, and we want to hear them. Whether you've found support that works well or faced challenges along the way, your feedback will help shape the final plan and the improvements we make.

The survey is open until 2 November.
Find out more and have your say: loom.ly/3XyRnUw
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If you want to share
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📢 MAJOR FUNDING WIN FOR FOLKESTONE & HYTHE’S HIGH STREETS! 📢

I am pleased to announce that I have secured over £1 million to bring empty and derelict buildings back into use for our communities.

This funding will be delivered by the Labour Government’s Derelict Buildings Fund to help turn empty buildings into spaces our whole community can use and enjoy. I will work closely with Folkestone & Hythe District Council to make sure it reaches the buildings that matter most to local people.

Which buildings do you think this funding should be spent on? Complete my survey to let me know your views👇

www.tonyvaughan.co.uk/derelict-building-survey-for-folkestone-hythe-and-romney-marsh/
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We are all used to the Budget ritual by now, where the Chancellor stands in front of N11 with a red box, but the critical question is how will this Budget help our community? How will it cut the cost of living, empower entrepreneurs, unleash economic growth, and empower local people?

Find out ⬇️
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Government should use the powers you give us to fix the everyday problems.

Here are eight ways we are making life a little easier:
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Government should us
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Media

Social media companies must earn the right to offer their services to under-16s.

Tony Vaughan KC MP 05/11/2026 5:54 PM

Brexit has damaged our economy!

Tony Vaughan KC MP 05/11/2026 5:09 PM

Lydd is revolutionising the future of flight!

Tony Vaughan KC MP 05/11/2026 5:04 PM

📢 MAJOR FUNDING WIN FOR FOLKESTONE & HYTHE’S HIGH STREETS! 📢

Tony Vaughan KC MP 05/11/2026 1:34 PM

Two water testing kits have now arrived in the constituency, funded by Southern Water. #politics

Tony Vaughan KC MP 05/11/2026 1:33 PM

MPs debate e-petition 749128 calling for the UK to apply to rejoin the European Union to increase economic growth.

📍 Westminster Hall, UK Parliament
🗓️ Debate Date: 12 October 2026

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📌 ABOUT THIS DEBATE
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This Westminster Hall debate was triggered by e-petition 749128, titled "Apply to Rejoin the EU as soon as possible to increase growth in the UK," which secured 111,687 signatures from across the UK.

Tony Vaughan KC MP, Member of Parliament for Folkestone and Hythe and a member of the Petitions Committee, opened the debate on behalf of the Committee.

The petition argues that:
- Brexit is not working for the UK economy.
- Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts show the Trade and Cooperation Agreement will reduce long-run productivity by 4%, mainly through higher non-tariff barriers to trade.
- New trade deals will not offset this loss.
- Savings on EU payments have been absorbed by higher government spending.

It calls on the Government to apply to rejoin the EU to remove these barriers and boost growth.

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🔗 OFFICIAL RESOURCES & LINKS
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- Read E-Petition 749128: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/749128
- Official Hansard Debate Transcript: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2026-10-12

#UKPolitics #WestminsterHall #Brexit #EU #UKParliament #Politics #FolkestoneAndHythe

MPs debate e-petition 749128 calling for the UK to apply to rejoin the European Union to increase economic growth.

📍 Westminster Hall, UK Parliament
🗓️ Debate Date: 12 October 2026

--------------------------------------------------
📌 ABOUT THIS DEBATE
--------------------------------------------------
This Westminster Hall debate was triggered by e-petition 749128, titled "Apply to Rejoin the EU as soon as possible to increase growth in the UK," which secured 111,687 signatures from across the UK.

Tony Vaughan KC MP, Member of Parliament for Folkestone and Hythe and a member of the Petitions Committee, opened the debate on behalf of the Committee.

The petition argues that:
- Brexit is not working for the UK economy.
- Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts show the Trade and Cooperation Agreement will reduce long-run productivity by 4%, mainly through higher non-tariff barriers to trade.
- New trade deals will not offset this loss.
- Savings on EU payments have been absorbed by higher government spending.

It calls on the Government to apply to rejoin the EU to remove these barriers and boost growth.

--------------------------------------------------
🔗 OFFICIAL RESOURCES & LINKS
--------------------------------------------------
- Read E-Petition 749128: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/749128
- Official Hansard Debate Transcript: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2026-10-12

#UKPolitics #WestminsterHall #Brexit #EU #UKParliament #Politics #FolkestoneAndHythe

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YouTube Video VVVVNVRlWm9CWk9xY3U1ODhGY0lCM0VBLmpHb1h2ZzNORXA4

Westminster Hall debate: E-petition relating to the UK applying to rejoin the EU

Tony Vaughan KC MP 12/10/2026 6:56 PM

Book a one-to-one surgery appointment

Request to attend a local coffee meeting

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