Political opinion with Josh Babarinde MP: A week of recognition and remembrance
Last week, I was absolutely honoured to win the ‘New MP of the Year Award’, in the category awarded to a new MP from outside the two largest parties. The MP of the Year Awards are run in Parliament annually by the fantastic charity The Patchwork Foundation. They celebrate MPs who are pulling out all the stops to support some of the most vulnerable and under-served people in our society.
I’m proud that my amazing team and I have supported thousands of Eastbournians who have been in touch with me for help.
We’ve fought to protect vital services at our local Hospital; held water companies to account over repeated outages, sewage spills, and foul smells; supported folks facing housing and homelessness-related challenges, saved essential social care services such as Linden Court and Milton Grange and delivered much-needed improvements to local transport, including the restored service to London Bridge.
I owe a massive thanks to the people of Eastbourne, my wonderful hometown, for all your support. It is such a privilege to fight for you in Parliament and at home.
Holocaust Memorial Day
Last week, we also came together to mark 81 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. I was honoured to sign the Holocaust Book of Remembrance and to attend the Parliamentary Holocaust Memorial Service on behalf of the people of Eastbourne.
I also had the opportunity to speak in Parliament to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, remembering all victims and survivors of Nazi persecution.
Here in Eastbourne, we are privileged to have survivors such as Dorit Oliver-Wolff, whose tireless work in Holocaust education ensures that future generations understand the truth of what happened and why it must never be forgotten.
In my speech, I made clear that we must commit ourselves to challenging hatred, prejudice, and intolerance wherever and whenever they appear. Instead, we must actively work to build a society grounded in tolerance, inclusivity and humanity. A society that was so cruelly denied to all the victims of Nazi persecution.
Eastbourne, and our country, will never forget.