Sussex Day
Sussex Day
Today is Sussex Day, a day to celebrate everything we love about our county. Thanks to West Sussex County Counci’s website, I can reveal that 16th June was chosen because it is St Richard’s Day. St Richard was the Bishop of Chichester from 1245 until 1253.
Whilst I was not born in Sussex, I feel so lucky to have called Sussex my home since we moved here in 2012. Before we moved, I knew that the county is blessed with many beautiful spots, historic towns and villages, and of course the sea. What I didn’t expect, but has been a deep delight, was how welcome I was made to feel from day one.
In my experience, Sussex is a place that welcomes incomers, and it has been somewhere where I have made deep friendships, without whom I wouldn’t have got involved in local politics, let alone become a Sussex MP.
So today, I will be celebrating the people of Sussex, who for me make it such a special place.
The Middle East*
Last week I welcomed the government’s decision to finally sanction Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. Their appalling calls for the forced displacement of Palestinians are utterly indefensible and have only fuelled division and violence. The Liberal Democrats have been calling for these sanctions since February last year. When the Conservatives were in government, they refused to act, and the fact that Labour has taken nearly a year since taking office to bring in these sanctions has been deeply frustrating.
Since the announcement of those sanctions, the situation in the region has become even more distressing. Israel’s decision to launch strikes on Iran - without consulting its allies of which Britain is one - has triggered a dangerous wave of retaliation, with considerable loss of life on both sides. Every attack risks dragging the region into a deeper war. The UK must work with international partners to contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions through diplomacy. Given that this is a conflict that Britain did not initiate, any UK military involvement should be strictly limited to protecting our personnel and assets. With the news this weekend feeling profoundly bleak, I hope that the Prime Minister uses the G7 summit to push for a return to diplomacy. This is the only course of action that can possibly prevent the loss of more innocent lives.
Finally, in a joint letter with other Lib Dem MPs, I have urged the government to take a decisive step towards peace by recognising the state of Palestine along 1967 borders. The suffering endured over the past 18 months, for Israelis and Palestinians, has made it heartbreakingly clear that only a political resolution can bring lasting peace. Recognition of Palestinian statehood would send a powerful message that the UK stands for justice, dignity and a viable two-state solution. The Government must act now, not just to offer hope to millions of Palestinians, but to help create the political conditions in which both Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace and security.
*I am writing on Sunday evening. I realise that events may have moved on by the time you receive this email.
Getting in touch
My parliamentary email address is: alison.bennett.mp@parliament.uk. If you need my help, please get in touch.
Best wishes,
Alison
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