Whether it’s protecting our coastline, improving our local environment, or securing better services for residents, these are all issues that deserve sustained attention rather than quick headlines.
One issue that has rightly received a great deal of local attention is the future of our Coastguard service. Following recent tragic incidents along our coastline – including off Black Rock in my constituency – we’ve been reminded just how vital our Coastguard volunteers are to keeping people safe.
From Peacehaven through Brighton Marina and along the coast towards Worthing, Coastguard Rescue Teams are an indispensable part of our emergency services. They respond in all weathers, often putting themselves in harm’s way to rescue people in danger and support wider emergency response efforts.
This week I attended a meeting in Parliament with Coastguard representatives, campaigners, the GMB trade union (which represents many coastguards) and colleagues from across the House to discuss the future of our Coastguard service. I have also taken this up with the Department for Transport to see what more can be done to ensure we protect, reward and recognise the invaluable contribution that Coastguard volunteers make to our communities.
Nobody volunteers for financial reward, but we do need to ensure that Coastguards get the support and recognition they need to ensure the future of the service, and to keep on keeping us safe in the sea.
Protecting our natural environment also means taking action to confront the nature and climate crises we now face. Last week the government announced the UK’s first Climate Security Taskforce, recognising that climate change is not simply an environmental issue but one that affects our economy, infrastructure, food security and national resilience.
The government is also heavily investing in clean energy (including the Rampion II windfarm, which will produce enough energy to power every home in Sussex), as well as restoring nature and strengthening the country’s resilience. The climate and nature crises are the greatest existential threat we face, and this government is rightly prioritising this – but it must be matched by practical action in communities like ours.
Here on the south coast we already see the effects of changing weather patterns through coastal erosion, increased flood risk and pressures on biodiversity. Last week’s heatwave – which placed huge pressure on local services and was especially difficult for vulnerable residents – was another reminder of why local action matters just as much as national policy.
Environmental improvement isn’t always about major infrastructure projects. Sometimes it’s about hundreds of practical actions: planting more trees, creating pollinator-friendly spaces, protecting our chalk downland and coastline and making our neighbourhoods cleaner, greener and more resilient. This is something I know many of my constituents – particularly those living in coastal areas or near the South Downs National Park – care passionately about, and I’ll keep doing all I can locally and nationally to make sure the climate and nature crises get the attention they deserve.
There’s also been some welcome news for Peacehaven this week, with Morrisons publishing revised plans for its long-awaited new supermarket and wider regeneration of the Meridian Centre. Many residents have contacted me over recent years asking when this development would finally move forward, so I know how important this progress will be.
I’m particularly pleased that the updated proposals retain both Peacehaven Library and Community House alongside the new supermarket, while ensuring there’s no new housing on the site. After so many years of delay, we all want to see shovels in the ground at the Meridian Centre, but this is an encouraging step forward and one I’ll continue to follow closely.
As your Member of Parliament, I believe politics works best when it focuses on practical improvements that people notice in their daily lives. Whether that’s supporting our Coastguard volunteers, protecting our natural environment, or welcoming investment into our communities, these are the issues I’ll continue working on every day.
Finally, I hope we all managed to enjoy England’s (nail-biting) win against DR Congo on Wednesday. Thankfully, Parliament ended just in time to make kick off, so I was able to enjoy it with my family. The 1am kick off against Mexico on Monday makes it a bit harder to repeat that (!), but I hope many of you get to see what will be a massive test for us against a very strong home side. Fingers crossed though we can do it, and make it through for a quarter final date next.
