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
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
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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
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🍃Community Green Action Day 🍃
It was inspiring to hear about the contributions young people from Turner Schools have made to our environment through projects which promote energy efficiency, active travel, boosting local biodiversity and encouraging sustainable lifestyles.
It's fantastic to see the collaboration between FHDC and Turner Schools to make this event happen - I was sad to have missed it!
#Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh #Community #Environment ... See MoreSee Less
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Keir Mather has done the right thing and has listened. The government is right to not move to an expenses only model for CROs.
Alistair Carmichael has done important work on this issue.
People like Sonny from my constituency, are the fourth blue light service and they are required to do over 100 hours of training for their work.
Let's recognise their technical ability, skill, courage and selflessness.
I have stood up for the work of CROs in a recent Westminster Hall Debate and I was proud to participate yesterday in the APPG for Coastal Communities and the APPG for Volunteer Search and Rescue joint evidence session on CRO remuneration proposals.
I will continue to stand up for CROs and for the critical work that they do
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3r0djznqw2o
#Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh #Coastguard ... See MoreSee Less
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My constituent Paul Cleeland has been fighting to clear his name for over 50 years. I have discussed Paul's case with him at length and pressed the government on his behalf.
I'm pleased to see that the Criminal Cases Review Commission is reopening his case, after new forensic evidence has been discovered through their Forensic Opportunities Programme.
Paul deserves to have his case re-examined, and I'll continue to support him as this review progresses.
#Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh
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Paul Cleeland murder case from 1972 reopens after gunshot review
www.bbc.co.uk
A murder case dating back to 1972 that saw a man serve 26 years in jail is reopened by the CCRC.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you Caring Altogether on Romney Marsh Lydd for letting my office host a GP Access form filling session during their weekly coffee morning!
If you want to have your say you can fill out my survey here: tonyvaughan.co.uk/gp-access-survey
If you would like some assistance, you can attend my next form filling session where my team will be available at the Folkestone Nepalese Community Centre on Baker Road, tomorrow at 1pm!
You can also email to book in an appointment over the phone with a member of staff to help fill in the survey (contact [email protected]).
#folkestone #hythe #romneymarsh #GPAccess ... See MoreSee Less
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I met these lovely students from Folkestone School for Girls who told me that their robotics team was selected to represent Team GB against 190 nations in a robotics competition which will be taking place in South Korea!
On top of this, they want to build an outreach programme to deliver across the country to involve primary schools in robotics. Truly inspiring.
If you want to help out, let's get these girls to South Korea by donating in the link!
#Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh #FolkestoneSchoolForGirls
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/team-great-britain---first-uk ... See MoreSee Less
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🛥️Solidarity With Our Coastguard Volunteers 🛥️
Read my article below and at tonyvaughan.co.uk/articles
#folkestone #hythe #romneymarsh #coastguard ... See MoreSee Less
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£11 per hour is not why Coastguard Rescue Officers volunteer.
They volunteer because they are extraordinarily courageous and selfless people - they are true public servants.
I was proud to stand up for the brilliant CROs in my constituency, and those across Kent in last week’s Westminster Hall debate.
The Minister was right to press pause on the CRO engagement, but let’s see the impact assessment published, the risk assessment produced, let’s take the whistleblowing reports seriously and disclose all the MCA survey data.
We’ve got to get this right for the CROs, whose dedication and bravery will never cease to inspire me.
#Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh #Coastguard ... See MoreSee Less
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