This year I attended the Remembrance Services in Lenham and Faversham

This Remembrance Day I have been reflecting on the service and sacrifice of all those who have defended our freedoms and our way of life.

I wish I had asked my Grandparents how they felt when the war ended. Sadly, they’re no longer alive and with them their memories of that day.

As the years go by fewer people are around who can tell us what that time was like - the sacrifices, the sadness and the relief when loved ones made it home safe.

It’s all the more reason to make sure we take the time today to recollect the horrors of the two world wars and why people made the ultimate sacrifice.

It comes down to freedom. Fighting for our freedom and independence as a country. And backing our allies in the face of aggression, because we know countries who value freedom must stick together.

We entered the First World War when Germany violated Belgium’s neutrality, and we entered the Second World War after Nazi Germany invaded Poland. We knew full well Hitler’s ambitions would not stop there.

Eighty years on, once again there is war in Europe and once again Britain has been at the forefront of standing up for freedom. I am proud that the UK is one of Ukraine’s strongest allies as they defend themselves against Russian aggression.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 the UK has provided Ukraine with military, financial and humanitarian support and welcomed over 200,000 Ukrainian refugees. This war is causing tremendous suffering, and like most people I want it to end.

But it shouldn’t end on Putin’s terms. That will simply embolden him. The lesson of the past 20 years is clear that appeasement does not work with Putin, as he only comes back for more.

Two days after Hitler invaded Poland, Churchill, as the newly appointed First Lord of the Admiralty, said:

“This is not a question of fighting for Danzig or fighting for Poland. We are fighting to save the whole world from the pestilence of Nazi tyranny and in defence of all that is most sacred to man.”

In the same way, by supporting Ukraine we are helping to defend Europe from Putin’s aggression.

Today, I will be reflecting on the service and sacrifice of all those who have defended our freedoms and our way of life.

Last year I joined the congregation of St Peter and St Paul’s church in Lynsted on Remembrance Sunday; the year before that I was in Faversham and in 2022 I went to St Mary’s and All Saints Church in Boxley. This year I attended the Remembrance Sunday service in Lenham and today's Remembrance Day service in Faversham.

I am always struck by the number of people, of all ages, who attend Remembrance Sunday services to remember those who died for our freedom.

Celebrating the graduation of Kent's new Doctors

After years working with Kent's Universities and others campaigning for a Medical School in the county - it was great to attend the graduation of the first students from the Kent and Medway Medical School at Canterbury Cathedral.

Watch my video about why this is so important here.

Sign my petition to stop Brock

Last month I met with the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum, Kent County Council and parish councillors to push for action on a long-term alternative to Operation Brock.

To see an end to Operation Brock sign my petition here 

Fighting the cumulative impact of development across my constituency 

There are 6 huge developments in the pipeline across my constituency adding up to nearly 20,000 homes - double the number of Faversham Town. 

Listen here to Cllr Julien Speed and I argue against Highsted Park which will make up 8,500 houses alone.

Listening to you - Leeds Village

Over the summer I joined Borough Councillors: Cllr Gill Fort and Cllr Gary Cooke together with Cllr Bob China - the Chair of Leeds Parish Council to discuss the issues important to constituents in Leeds.

There is more information here.

Pressing the Schools Minister to back our schools

Before the Summer Holidays I spoke to Headteachers from across the constituency worried about school finances.

Read my letter to the Schools Minister calling on the Government to ease the financial burden on schools

Campaigning to re-open the Faversham Cottage Hospital

In early September I stood side by side with the people of Faversham at the Public Meeting on the future of Faversham Cottage Hospital.

If you want to keep the pressure on to re-open the Hospital sign my petition here.

Listening to you about how we can improve the Benefits system

Over the summer I met with a group of Golding Homes tenants who receive universal credit or PIP, or both to hear from my own constituents about their experiences of the benefits system and the challenges of employment. There is more about that meeting here

Protecting farms from solar panels

Solar farms like Cleve Hill and Pitstock in my constituency are being approved across the country. I have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling for a clear ban on large solar developments on our most productive farmland. You can read my letter here.

My views on flying our flags

My inbox has been overflowing with emails and letters from people about whether or not we should be flying our flags.

Read my views here.

The Government's Barriers-to-Work Bill

Watch my video here about the Government's Employment Rights Bill. 

It was written by the unions and will paid for by you with more strikes, fewer jobs and a bigger benefits bill!