TONY VAUGHAN KC MP
Member of Parliament for Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh
30/10/2025
————————————————————————
Dear Reader,
It is the honour of my life to serve Folkestone, Hythe and
Romney Marsh as your MP. I’ve been working hard since being elected, here are just a few of the
things I’ve been up to recently.
Best wishes,
Tony Vaughan KC MP
————————————————————————
Let’s Reopen Ashford International
As a group, Kent Labour MPs have been campaigning to restore international rail services to Ashford International, which could generate £315 million in visitor spending and £2.67 billion for our economy over 5 years. I am pleased to report that the Office of Rail and Road has decided to allow Virgin Trains to use the maintenance depot for international trains at Temple Mills. We have overcome the first hurdle; we are one step closer to new international services running from Ashford. Our international rail infrastructure has been neglected for too long. Ashford international is key to local economic development, so let’s get on with making Kent’s economy boom again
————————————————————————
What you can see from the Leas
I joined Go Folkestone in their unveiling of their ‘What You Can See From the Leas’ art project. You
can see from Calais to Dungeness!
————————————————————————
Supporting the Rights of Leaseholders and Freeholders
Poorly performing managing agents need to be called out. Ridiculous service charges, lack of transparency, poor quality maintenance work, poor communication – this is all too common in our community. One repeat offender is Firstport, which manages the Shorncliffe Heights estate. I’ve heard a litany of complaints from residents. I’ve taken these issues straight to the top, meeting the CEO in Westminster, as well as local managers, to obtain concessions focusing on improving service standards. I am meeting with several other local managing agents to hold them to account too. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act will address unfair service charges and enforce transparency. I will continue to fight for a fair deal for leaseholders and freeholders in our constituency and would tonyvaughan.co.uk/contact
invite you to write to me via the contact form at
problems that you need support with
————————————————————————
Cleaning up our Seas and Rivers
I love the beaches in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh. I have been swimming at Sandgate beach for over 10 years; it has been great for my physical and mental health. That’s why improving water quality is a top priority for me. I have held meetings with the former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, and also the Water Minister, Emma Hardy. We have discussed the local situation and talked about how the Environment Agency and Southern Water can do more to reduce water pollution. I have also met with Lawrence Gosden, the CEO of Southern Water, and secured an agreement from them to fund more community water testing, which I believe is critical for providing a more accurate picture of the quality of our waters.
This Government has secured a commitment from the water sector to invest £104 billion into updating our crumbling water infrastructure from 2025 – 2030, aiming to make our seas and rivers the cleanest they’ve ever been. The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 is now law, which means there will be monitoring of every sewage outlet, bonuses for executives who pollute our waterways will be blocked and criminal charges will be brought against persistent law breakers.
I’m determined to get Southern Water and the Environment Agency to clean up our seas and rivers. We need greater investment, higher-quality data and stronger enforcement.
————————————————————————
The First School Skatepark
Folkestone Academy is now the first school in the world to have a purpose-built concrete skatepark! It
was great to see the skateboard club in action and with their new skateboards donated by Jackson
Civil Engineering
————————————————————————
Bringing Healthcare to Your Door
I am delighted that Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh has been selected to pilot the Government’s new Neighbourhood Health Teams (NHTs). This will support the Government’s 10 Yearn Health Plan to shift more healthcare from hospital to the community; and to focus more on preventing illness. I have been lobbying Government to support our local community health practices with delivering more healthcare in the community. The NHTs will enable local, multi-disciplinary medical professionals to provide more tailored support for people with complex and long-term health issues, such as diabetes, arthritis, MS and epilepsy. I have met with our excellent local medical practitioners who are pioneering this work at Sandgate Road Surgery and most recently at Oaklands Health Centre in Hythe. It’s
fantastic to see all the work that they do.
I was also pleased that the Government is investing £13 million to fix East Kent Hospitals’ crumbling buildings. Getting the NHS back on its feet starts with making sure we have buildings that are fit for purpose. And that must include a new surgery for patients of Guildhall Street and Manor Road surgeries – a matter I am pushing on hard with the NHS and Council.
————————————————————————
Palestine: The Roadmap to Peace
I am overjoyed to finally see the return of the hostages and prisoners and that aid has finally been let in. The horror of the 7th October and the violence in Gaza and the West Bank which has followed has, I know, been a source of huge concern to constituents.
Following the UK’s decision to recognise the State of Palestine, I had productive discussions with His Excellency, Ambassador Husam Zumlot, and Folkestone Stands with Palestine about the future of Palestine and the best ways to support a two-state solution. I also spoke with Amnesty International about how we can hold the Israeli state and military to account for their violations of international law. I will continue to engage with diplomats on this issue to press for more humanitarian aid to be let in to Palestine and to support all efforts to condemn the unlawful occupation of Palestine.
With the UK’s recognition of Palestine as a starting point, I am hopeful that we will achieve a lasting peace.
————————————————————————
Visit to Napier Barracks
I recently visited Napier Barracks, which is currently serving as asylum accommodation and set to close at the end of the year. I met Napier Friends who work with residents, teach English, sewing and gardening, positively serving the local community.
Let’s Secure the Future of Dungeness
I want more clean energy generated here, so the UK can achieve energy independence. To get there, we must also invest in new nuclear. Dungeness Power Station is a strong contender for small modular reactors. That is why I have met with the former Nuclear Minister, EDF, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and four private sector companies who have expressed an interest in developing new nuclear at Dungeness. There are many hurdles ahead, but we already have the skills, jobs and community support on the Marsh.
————————————————————————
Recent Developments
- The Government has expanded the eligibility criteria for free school meals, so now 4000 more children in Folkestone & Hythe will be eligible. This saves each family £500 per year.
- Folkestone and Hythe has been awarded £2.35m to improve flood defences, protecting thousands of homes and businesses.
————————————————————————
COMMUNITY COHESION DISCUSSION EVENT
I am holding an event at a Folkestone location on 13 November (19:00 – 20:30) to have a
discussion about flags, community cohesion and what patriotism means in Folkestone, Hythe
and Romney Marsh? Looking forward to seeing you there. The location will be given out upon
acceptance of your booking,
please fill out this form if you would like to attend.
VOLUNTEER WITH ME!
If you would like to help me serve the people of Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh, please
get in touch via tonyvaughan.co.uk/contact.
Best wishes,
Tony Vaughan KC MP
Member of Parliament for Folkestone and Hythe
————————————————————————
MEET YOUR MP
I hold surgeries every week to discuss personal matters on which you need assistance.
Email: [email protected]
Book a surgery: tonyvaughan.co.uk/contact
Newsletter: tonyvaughan.co.uk
Read my articles: here
Parliamentary contributions: here
