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
Had a positive meeting today at the Foreign Office with Craig and Lindsay’s son, Joe Bennett, and the UK’s Envoy for Complex Consular Detentions - Alistair Burt.
We explored all of the possible solutions and I know that Alistair will do everything he can to help bring the Foremans home, as will I!
The pain that the family feel is immeasurable; we must act with purpose and urgency to bring Craig and Lindsay home. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
A perfect day in #folkestone ☀️ ... See MoreSee Less
14 CommentsComment on Facebook
*DROUGHT ADVICE*
To see the Environment Agency declare a drought in seven areas of England is deeply concerning. The EA has also moved Kent into Prolonged Dry Weather Status - we have not had any significant rainfall in the whole of July. We know that climate change is causing more extreme weather patterns to happen more frequently.
We all need to use water as efficiently as possible and I advise people in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh to contact their local water company, Affinity Water or South East Water, if they need guidance. If you need to report an environmental incident, such as danger or damage to the natural environment or unusual changes to river flow, then please use this link: www.gov.uk/report-environmental-problem
This Government has done a lot already to improve how our water sector functions and I commend the work of Emma Hardy, the Water Minister, along with Steve Reed and Emma Reynolds.
Since coming into office, the Government has secured a record £104 billion of private investment to support ambitious change in our water sector, including £8 billion for enhancing improved drought planning and long-term water resource management.
But a free market in water is not going to make the system as resilient and sustainable as it needs to be. That’s why we need public control of water, so we can direct more capital into building the infrastructure we need, so we can be better prepared for droughts, reduce water leakages and most importantly, lower bills.
#Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh #Hosepipeban #Drought ... See MoreSee Less
Report an environmental problem
www.gov.uk
How to report environmental incidents, including pollution, damage to the natural environment, flooding, illegal fishing or a collapsed river bank.4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Kanishka is right - emerging technologies must be at the heart of reindustrialising Britain - that is precisely what future-facing, forward-looking reindustrialisation looks like.
For example, Lydd Airport can be at the forefront of drone research, development, testing and manufacturing. Drones are going to be critical technologies for logistics, trading goods and defence.
I have been working with the airport’s leadership team to make this vision happen and I look forward to working with the new government to secure Lydd Airport’s future.
www.ft.com/content/5b789a38-c9ca-4b23-8e61-8f9e2e589396?syn-25a6b1a6=1
#Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh #LyddAirport ... See MoreSee Less
Chips and drones to be at heart of Andy Burnham’s push to ‘reindustrialise’, AI minister says
www.ft.com
Kanishka Narayan tells FT that new prime minister views technology as way for Britain ‘to get its mojo back’1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Social care is a massive issue in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh.
Andy Burnham today is not only setting out how we can build a best in class social care system - he is also trying to do politics differently.
I welcome the start of cross-party talks between Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats about how we fix social care.
Andy is absolutely right to say that carers should be the “best paid people in society, not the worst.”
We must urgently improve the pay, training and working conditions of social care staff.
I believe that a National Care Service, fully integrated into the NHS, can be one of the era-defining achievements of this government.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0rd1rvlx1vt
#Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh #NationalCareService ... See MoreSee Less
Burnham says 'difficult decisions' will have to be made on funding social care reform in England
www.bbc.co.uk
In a speech, the prime minister calls for a "national care service" and says he wants to "lift up" the workforce through pay and training.28 CommentsComment on Facebook
For too long the pubs, clubs and live music venues have been disappearing from high streets.
That is why the government is stepping in, and cutting their business rates from April 2027, helping 770 licenced clubs and 5,120 bars and public houses in the South East.
The typical pub will save around £1,100 from its bill each year - this means pubs are expected to pay around 27% less in business rates by 2028-29 than they did in 2025-26!
#folkestone #Hythe #romneymarsh #BusinessRates #pubs ... See MoreSee Less
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
Read my article on the importance of community water testing below and at tonyvaughan.co.uk/articles.
#folkestone #Hythe #romneymarsh #waterpollution ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
A highly productive meeting with the Nuclear Minister, Lord Vallance, and his officials, last week along with Helena Dollimore for Hastings and Rye and Sojan Joseph MP to discuss the way forward for new nuclear at Dungeness.
Dungeness’ pitch is clear - it’s home to a highly skilled workforce, there’s major local support for nuclear, there’s a grid connector ready and waiting and it’s where people need electricity.
Labour is backing new nuclear through the implementation of the Fingleton Review and the creation of the Advanced Nuclear Framework, so that the best private sector-led nuclear projects lead the way. It’s a great example of the state enabling the private sector to do what’s in the public interest.
We can bring new nuclear online while protecting the environment. We need the jobs and the energy independence that new nuclear can generate.
I will continue my cross party work with Kent County Council and Folkestone and Hythe District Council to secure the future of #Dungeness.
#Folkestone #Hythe #romneymarsh #nuclearenergy ... See MoreSee Less
9 CommentsComment on Facebook
A big thank you to Maha and the staff and volunteers at the Folkestone Nepalese Centre for hosting my final GP Access form filling session.
The Nepalese community showed in big numbers for this session - I’m so grateful for their engagement on such an important issue.
Accessing your GP and getting the help you need shouldn’t be this difficult. I’m certainly determined to help make things right!
If you have any thoughts, you can share them here: tonyvaughan.co.uk/gp-access-survey
Alternatively, you can email me at [email protected] to book in a phone call with a member of staff to fill in the form for you.
#Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh #GPAccess ... See MoreSee Less
5 CommentsComment on Facebook