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 question to the Prime Minister about the Foreman's imprisonment in Iran
Westminster Hall Debate on Social Media Use Under 16 250224
Craig and Lindsay Foreman's Detention in Iran - 1 Year On
Asking about Dungeness Power Station and the Nuclear Taskforce Recommendations at DESNZ questions
My Westminster Hall Debate on SEND provision in Kent
My question to the PM following his trip to China
Book a one-to-one surgery appointment
Request to attend a local coffee meeting
Send me a message
Don’t miss BBC Politics South East on Sunday at 10am featuring me, Damian Collins and Sian Berry on new nuclear at Dungeness, Digital ID and skateboarding!
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I spoke about all things buses today with members of the Bus Users group and Councillors. More to come on this soon, keep an eye on this space 🚌
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Fantastic to meet with businesses today at the Voco Clifton for a roundtable to discuss issues facing our local entrepreneurs and charities.
There’s much work to do. We need incentives for growth and to encourage employment opportunities. I appreciate the strength of feeling and passion from all our local businesses - thank you for all that you do to contribute to our economy and our community.
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🛣 Dealing with the Pothole Plague 🛣
"Potholes are dangerous. They can lead to severe damage to cars overtime with Allianz reporting that one in five pothole claims ends with the vehicle being written off. They can also cause cars to swerve out of the way and into cycle lanes to avoid them, which can be hazardous for both cyclists and pedestrians.
I know that the Government gets that we have a pothole plague and that is why they are investing £1.6 billion into tackling potholes, so we can fix seven million of these mini-craters".
Read more below and at www.tonyvaughan.co.uk/articles
If you see any potholes, you can report them here:
www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/what-we-look-after/roads/potholes
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I know from my inbox how hard it is to get dentist appointments, so it was good to hear from Nash at Pennypot Dental about his plans to expand dentist provision in Hythe!
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My question to the Chancellor about protecting Dungeness’s nature while supporting the initiative for new nuclear.
We need energy security but we also need to protect our natural landscapes which are abundant on the Romney Marsh. I await the Government’s formal response to the Fingleton Review.
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🗳 It's Welcome to Your Vote Week! 🗳
It's so important to empower our young people to vote. According to the Electoral Commission, young people want to learn more about politics but feel that they lack the knowledge to vote with confidence.
I encourage all schools to take part!
Here's how you can get involved:
• Hold a vote in your school or youth group on an issue young people can have a say in
• Run a voter registration drive for young people
• Deliver lesson plans (provided in the link below) or short activities about voting and democracy
• Support young people to engage local representatives
Find out more here: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/resources/resources-educators/welcome-your-vote-week
#WelcomeToYourVote #Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh ... See MoreSee Less
Welcome to Your Vote Week
www.electoralcommission.org.uk
School and youth groups across the UK join us every year to celebrate democracy. Throughout Welcome to Your Vote Week, they deliver democratic education with their students and young people.4 CommentsComment on Facebook
A community partnership agreement is the way forward to have our library service remain at Grace Hill as it has been for the past 130 years. It's one of the oldest libraries in the County - it certainly deserves all options to be explored. Grace Hill Library was gifted to the people of Folkestone and so belongs to the community, not to auction off for housing.
I urge KCC to take the Folkestone Town Council up on their offer to acquire the building and preserve its use as Folkestone's library. The residents of Folkestone deserve a chance to retain this vital part of the town's heritage.
www.kentonline.co.uk/folkestone/news/much-loved-town-library-set-for-auction-after-bid-to-halt-sa... ... See MoreSee Less
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Amazing to see all the great work going on at Hythe Youth Club. A big thanks to John who's working very hard to modernise and increase the facilities within the centre - including an arts room and a potential new music room to house their many instruments and DJ decks.
It's brilliant to see the club inspire our children to get out there and try something new as well as creating the space for confidence-building. Increasing opportunities for our young people is more important than ever - they need to feel seen and heard. And places like this do just that!
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