Taking Your Voice to Westminster

Published: 2 February 2026

I owe everything to my mum and dad. They didn’t have a penny to rub together, but they lived by their favourite band’s motto: “All you need is love.”

Family looks out for each other. They back you up and never give up. Sometimes, they just need a little help.

I’m thinking of Sandra, who came to me bogged down in a bureaucratic loop, standing up for her mum’s pension. After I spoke up for Sandra and her mum in the Commons, we got what she was owed—and some compensation too.

I’m thinking of Nicola. Her son never got guidance to move to Universal Credit, so last week I grilled a minister in the Commons to ensure constituents with complex needs and learning difficulties get proper guidance.

I am in awe of mums like Nicola and daughters like Sandra. They are the great Bournemouth people I meet week in, week out. If you or the people you love need help, I want you to know I’m here to help. 

That means making sure the right decisions get made from the start. 

As your representative in Westminster, it’s also about standing up for you to make sure national policy is right.

A big focus for me—one I haven’t spoken about publicly—has been representing local views on SEND reform.

Over the past six months, I’ve held private meetings with SEND carers. I’ll soon be carrying their hopes and concerns to Parliament.

The government will take on the full cost of SEND provision rather than leaving it in the hands of councils. As a start, an extra £1 billion supports high-needs funding nationwide, and £200 million will train teachers and support staff in how to support SEND pupils—something schools have been calling for.

It’s also about ensuring families no longer feel let down by BCP Council. 

In several meetings, SEND families have been in tears, relaying the traumas of dealing with the council.

Clear information is rare, avoidable errors are commonplace, carers get passed from pillar to post, and plans can even get children’s names wrong.

Together, we must get this right. Last week, I met headteachers to hear their perspectives. So far this year, I’ve visited five schools—Malmesbury Park, Park School, St James’ Academy, St Walburga’s, and Avonbourne—to speak with students and teachers about their issues.

One thing that comes up is the need for children to have play opportunities, rather than being forced to sit still in class. Teachers agree that Key Stage  1 should include play opportunities, as do constituents. 

I was proud to share their suggestions as Chair of the all-party group on play in a parliamentary speech last Monday.

We are in a rare reform window. The decisions that are being made now on curriculum and assessment will shape classrooms for years, and with them children’s confidence, wellbeing and attainment.

This is not about choosing play over learning; it is about choosing play because it is learning.

It’s also about creating more opportunities for families to enjoy outdoor play. Today marks 162 days since BCP Council closed a play consultation. We still don’t know whether your playground will be improved or ripped up.

The council refuses to give me the information I need to keep you updated and ignores your views when I raise them. How can I press the government to invest in your community with the council stuck in petty town hall politics?

What we need are more playgrounds—not more playground politics.

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