Alison Bennett's Monday Mail: A letter to the Prime Minister
The Monday Mail will be taking a pause for a few weeks due to holidays - both my own and the volunteer who helps send the newsletter out each week. However, we will be back at the start of September.
A letter to the Prime Minister
Last week was the first week of my Mid Sussex Summer Tour. I have been visiting town and parish councils, holding residents’ surgeries, and making the most of the fair weather by going out door knocking.
One subject came up time and again - Gaza.
So on Thursday, I wrote to the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to share with him what people across Mid Sussex are saying to me.
Here is what I wrote:
31st July 2025
Dear Prime Minister
Like many Members of Parliament, since parliamentary recess started last week, I have been out and about in my constituency hosting drop-in surgeries, meeting with parish councillors and visiting local events and community groups. Wherever I have been in Mid Sussex, in villages as small as Bolney and Twineham and in the towns of Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath, the appalling and worsening situation in Gaza has been raised with me.
One older constituent called the scenes of starving Palestinian children the worst thing she has ever seen. A local businessman told me that something must be done to stop people starving to death. Meanwhile a carers group raised Gaza with me spontaneously. Today, a local group called ‘Parents for Peace’ is holding a peaceful protest in Burgess Hill to continue to raise awareness of the plight of the Palestinian people, something they have been doing for well over a year in Mid Sussex.
I have been struck by the feelings of horror and helplessness from my constituents, feelings that I share. I therefore feel compelled to write to you to bear witness to the strength of feeling I am hearing across Mid Sussex about the appalling and worsening situation in Gaza.
I was one of the 200 signatories to the letter sent to you last week asking you to recognise Palestine right away. While I welcome your announcement this week as a step in the road to recognising Palestine, I do not believe this should be offered as a bargaining chip to Israel. I believe that Palestine must be recognised now.
I also ask that you do everything in your power – which is greater than mine or my constituents’ – to ensure immediate and extensive action to stop the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. I also ask that the UK urges Hamas to unconditionally release the hostages, ceases all arms sales to Israel, and implements sanctions against the Israeli cabinet.
I don’t doubt that these issues are already weighing heavily on your mind, but I felt compelled to write to you following the conversations I have had in Mid Sussex this week. We cannot allow the Israeli government to continue as they have been doing.
Yours sincerely,
Alison Bennett MP
Member of Parliament for Mid Sussex
Getting in touch
During August, my office will be open as normal. If you need help with anything, please get in touch by emailing me on: alison.bennett.mp@parliament.uk.
Best wishes,
Alison
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