We need a reset with the EU to boost trade, jobs and growth
It’s been another busy week in Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven, and in Westminster. In this week’s column I want to update you on plans for the new cancer centre at the Royal Sussex, a boost in funding for rough sleeping services in the City, and the future of the Sussex Beacon.
I want to start, though, with something that remains one of the most important issues for my constituents but is now one of the least mentioned words in British politics – Brexit.
It’s now been nearly a decade since the Brexit referendum. We’ve had six different Prime Ministers and three general elections in that time, but our relationship with the EU remains unfinished business.
I voted to Remain and I worked as an advisor to Keir Starmer when he was Shadow Brexit Secretary, so I’ve got more than my share of scars from the Brexit battles! I for one don’t want to reopen them – and Labour’s been clear about the red-lines we’ll stick to. But we do a need to reset our relationship with the EU and to be far more ambitious about building stronger ties on trade, defence, climate change and more.
It’s obvious that the current Brexit deal – negotiated by the Conservatives at the last minute – simply isn’t working. It’s harmed trade, jobs and growth. Businesses in my constituency tell me repeatedly that the extra costs of post-Brexit bureaucracy are holding them back. Young people tell me about the opportunities lost and horizons narrowed – particularly on rights to study and travel. There’s also no meaningful agreement on financial services or security, and our farming and fishing industries are both counting the cost of the Conservatives’ inadequate deal.
Of course, the path to a better Brexit deal is littered with challenges and trade-offs – but I know a better deal is possible than the mess that was left by the last government. So I’m pleased that the Prime Minister has made this a priority, and has already reset relations with EU leaders. 2025 will be a big year for this and I will keep making the case in Parliament for the Government to do what’s needed to make Brexit work for local businesses and across Sussex.
Progress on the re-build at the Royal Sussex

My constituency office in Kemptown is just a stones-throw from the Royal Sussex Hospital. The building site that currently stands empty next to the new Louisa Martindale building is a constant reminder of where the new Sussex cancer centre should be. But, like so many hospital rebuilds promised by the last Government, its yet to be completed, or even started.
I’ve been pushing for progress on this ever since the general election, and on Monday the Health Secretary gave the very welcome news that funding has been allocated for the Cancer Centre to start construction next year. This will be part of the ‘first phase’ of hospital buildings under the new Government and is a major step forward. This week I spoke to Health Ministers and the local Hospital Trust about this and hope there will be more positive news in the months to come.
Extra funding for rough sleeping
We face a homelessness crisis in Brighton and across the country, with record numbers of people now living in temporary accommodation. As I’ve said before in this column and in Parliament, this isn’t inevitable – it’s the result of political choices and a lack of proper funding and focus.
I’ve met recently with brilliant local charities including the Clock Tower Sanctuary and JustLife as well as the Brighton Housing Trust, and I’ve been struck both by the amazing work being done in our City to support people who are rough sleeping or at risk of homelessness, and the ever rising demand.
I’ve been making the case to Government for extra funding and focus on the homelessness crisis, so this week I was delighted to see a further £10m allocated to tackle rough sleeping, £275K of which will go directly to Brighton and Hove. This comes in addition to record funding for homelessness announced before Christmas, and the Government’s decision to finally ban no-fault evictions – which is now the biggest single cause of homelessness in our City. Of course, there’s a lot more that needs to be done to turn the tide on homelessness, but this is a great start.
Sussex Beacon update

The Sussex Beacon, who are based in my constituency, has been an iconic part of Brighton for the last three decades. The Beacon’s saved countless lives and helped generations of people living with HIV. So the news that the Beacon’s inpatient services are to close is a very difficult moment for many people and for the local community. I’ve been working closely with the Beacon and the local NHS Trust to help secure a stable future for the Beacon and to boost local HIV services. I spoke with the Beacon’s CEO this week and I’m hopeful that the proposed new model – which includes a shift to deliver additional community care – can help deliver this. I’ll continue to work with the Beacon on this keep readers updated.
Speaking of which, a quick reminder that the Brighton Half Marathon is fast approaching on 2nd March. I’m running it alongside the amazing Team Beacon runners – so if you can donate please do so by visiting https://tinyurl.com/yjn59jr5