Alison Bennett

Alison and Kate looking through Christmas card competition entries

Local artist, Kate Harries, and I have chosen the winning entries in my first ever Christmas card competition. I now need your help! Check out my Facebook page tomorrow to vote for the overall winner whose picture will go on the front of my card.

On a recent visit to Arlington Reservoir, South East Water told me that climate change and an ageing pipe network makes Sussex's tap water supply less resilient.

I questioned them about rising bills and the persistence of the hosepipe ban, and will keep pressing water companies for answers.

🚜I enjoyed the Hurstpierpoint Ploughing Match, exploring stalls and learning about the history of ploughing.

I also spoke with local farmers about the current challenges they are facing due to environmental pressures and government policy. It's crucial to support our farmers.

At Conference, I brought in a new hospices policy that would reverse Labour's punishing NICs rises and end the current palliative care postcode lottery

More must urgently be done so later this month I am bringing a debate to the Commons on children's hospices to get answers from the government

🏃‍♀️ In Bournemouth last week, I did a conference Park Run special, organised in collaboration with Sky.

It was great to run along the seafront in the good weather, and get the chance to chat to those involved.

📰 In this week's Middy column, I reflect on the government's decision to introduce mandatory digital ID cards.

Have a read here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/politic...

Such awful news today. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and the whole Jewish community.

A group of six adults stand closely together outdoors in a garden, smiling at the camera. They are casually dressed, with greenery, a wooden fence, and a patio visible in the background. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed.

Last week, I had a lovely morning at Beech Hill in Haywards Heath, meeting residents Mark and Catherine, and dedicated staff like Agnieska and Anna.

Care workers are unsung heroes deserving more recognition and pay. I will keep fighting for better governmental support for them.

Political opinion: Mid Sussex MP says Gatwick second runway plan "disastrous" for communities Alison Bennett, Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Mid Sussex, has spoken out against the decision by Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, to expand Gatwick Airport. Alison says that a…

The approval of a second runway at Gatwick by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander will harm nearby communities, including Mid Sussex.

The government ignored our concerns, with financial, environmental, and health costs being too high.

Read more here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/politic...

Unlike Farage, we're proud of Britain.

Britain has problems that need fixing, but we must never forget our strengths, our people and our values.

They are what make this country special.🇬🇧

Care workers deserve fair pay, but funding it through council tax hikes won’t solve the crisis.

The government must deliver a long term plan for social care.

@AlisonEBennett.bsky.social

A collage of six circular photos featuring Alison Bennett MP engaging with various community members in her role as Care and Carers Spokesperson. In the top row, she is seen with care staff, speaking with individuals at a decorated table, and posing with a group including a man with a white cane. In the bottom row, she interacts with people outdoors, holds a sign reading “I WANT A FAIR FUTURE FOR YOUNG CARERS” alongside others, and speaks with a woman with Sir Ed Davey. In the centre, the text reads: “Alison Bennett MP – Care and Carers Spokesperson” with the Liberal Democrats logo underneath.

I am honoured to be reappointed Lib Dem spokesperson for Care and Carers.

Carers, both paid and unpaid, are our society's unsung heroes and deserve better. I will continue to fight for them and advocate for a social care system that works for and supports those who need it.

Trains, planes and ID cards? Thoughts on ID cards, a visit to Hassocks for Railway 200, and the challenges to transport posed by Gatwick airport expansion in this week's Monday Mail

In this week's Monday Mail, I talk about trains, planes, and automobiles (and digital ID cards too!)

Read more here: www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

📰 In last week's Middy column, I discussed St Peter and St James Hospice's 50th anniversary tea party, and the importance of protecting palliative care and ending the hospice postcode lottery.

Have a read here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/opinion...

A group of swimmers on the beach holding a banner that reads #EndSewagePollution

🏖️ In last week's Monday Mail, I wrote from Lib Dem Conference in sunny Bournemouth, covering hospice care, swimming with Surfers Against Sewage, as well as a recent debate on Special Educational Needs.

Take a look: tinyurl.com/alison-benne...

Information about the event in Hassocks

A board up with information about the beginning of the railway in Hassocks

Part of the exhibition

Outside photo of the station

Today, Hassocks station is celebrating 200 years of the modern railway as part of Railway 200 railway200.co.uk

Pop down to the ticket office until 5:00pm today to see an exhibition about the station's history, a model railway and kids' activities.

No to Digital ID Cards! Keir Starmer says everyone in the UK will be required to have mandatory digital ID. That’s not the kind of country we want to be. Back our petition to say no to digital ID cards.

Back our campaign and say no to Labour’s Digital ID plans www.libdems.org.uk/nodigitalid

Keir Starmer wants to force everyone to have a digital ID.

But the Liberal Democrats say that’s not the kind of country we should be. Instead, the government should focus on fixing real problems like the NHS and social care.

Alison with other Lib Dems out canvassing.

Great support in Haywards Heath, but real concern being voiced about Starmer's plans to bring in Digital ID

If you don't want to live in a country where people are forced to turn over their private data just to go about their daily lives, sign here www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/nodigitalid

Enjoyed catching up with so many brilliant organisations and charities down in Bournemouth, finding out how their work can make people's lives in Mid Sussex better.

Great to join @carersuk @carerstrust and @centreforcare at each of their events at @LiberalDemocrat Party Conference in Bournemouth.

Carers provide a remarkable and often unsung service to our nation.

They and those they care for deserve a better and fairer system, let's make it happen.

The Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, has given Gatwick expansion the green light.

I am hugely disappointed in the decision, and think the damage will far outweigh any benefits.

So I spoke to the BBC's Charlotte Wright down in Bournemouth to explain why.

Hospices provide dignity, comfort, and support at the end of life.

Despite this, they are too often left to fend for themselves and find funding from charity.

That's why I was proud my motion that seeks to do better was passed yesterday at conference.

I had a lot of fun with Surfers Against Sewage in Bournemouth this morning.

If we want to be able to enjoy our beaches and seas into the future, the sewage scandal needs to stop and water companies must be held accountable.

#stopsewagepollution

Alison Bennett's Monday Mail: Balance the BBC A heavy week

In this week's Monday Mail, I discuss some troubling international developments, an urgent need for more Balance at the BBC and a brilliant event celebrating 50 years of St Peter and St James Hospice.

Do have a read: www.midsussexlibdems.org.uk/news/article...

Yesterday I spoke in Parliament about our failing Special Educational Needs system.

The problems in the system are the fault of the previous Conservative government, not parents. The Labour government must get a grip, do the right thing and invest in supporting our children.

Alison with a group of volunteers outside on a residential street

Out dodging the showers and talking to voters in Haywards Heath yesterday

Inside a large event marquee, Alison stands smiling next to a man in a dark suit, red tie, and tan trousers. The marquee is filled with people seated at round tables. The atmosphere is bright and festive with bunting decorations hanging from the ceiling.

Alison, wearing a grey checkered blazer and a black patterned dress, stands smiling in front of two green and white tents. The tents display the branding for "St Peter & St James Hospice" with slogans including "Hospice care in the heart of Sussex" and "It all started with a donkey..." The background includes a large willow tree, grass, and a partly cloudy blue sky.

🍰 I had a lovely time on Thursday afternoon at St Peter and St James Hospice's 50 year anniversary, meeting the team and chatting to so many people who form part of the St Peter and St James' family.

Thank you for the kind invitation.

A newspaper article from the Mid Sussex Times dated Thursday, September 11, 2025. The article appears in the "Opinion" section and features Alison Bennett MP. The headline reads: “Paramedic during a permacrisis.” The article includes a small portrait photo of Alison Bennett and a larger photo of a paramedic and Alison standing beside medical equipment inside an ambulance. The column discusses NHS pressures, ambulance services, and systemic issues in healthcare during a prolonged crisis.

📰 In this week's Middy column, I reflect on my ambulance ride out trip, my conversations with local paramedics, and what we need to do to protect our NHS during this 'permacrisis'.

Have a read here: www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/opinion...

Alison stands smiling on a sunny sidewalk next to a bulletin board. Above her hangs a vintage-style sign that reads "King Edward Hall." The building has stone-framed windows and a white façade, and the setting appears to be a quaint English village. The village is Lindfield.

It was great to be in Lindfield on Friday, chatting to residents at another one of my local surgeries.

Thank you to everyone who came along.