Political opinion with John Milne MP: Local togetherness beats national chaos any day

I have to ask - what on earth is going on with this government? Last week I shared in the surreal spectacle of a Kings Speech, which laid out the new legislative programme for a Prime Minister who might not even make it to the end of the day, as it seemed.

It’s as if the two parties which have dominated politics in the last 100 years are competing with each other for incompetence. Their mistakes have paced the way for populist leaders to come forward with fantasy solutions that make Liz Truss look like an economic genius.

So it was with a sense of relief and sanity that I returned home to visit Shingadia’s Budgens in Southwater. If there was ever an example of a shop that embodies community spirit, this is it.

Ramesh and his wife Nirmala, now joined by their son Alpesh, have run their store on the Worthing Road for an amazing 43 years. Much has changed in that time, but not their enthusiasm for serving the Southwater community.

It’s all about being local. They give valuable shelf space to local producers such as AR Baileys Butchers in Warnham, Sussex Charmer cheese from Rudgwick, alongside beautiful bouquets from Bud & Flower in Kirdford. Together they make a virtuous circle of neighbourhood businesses working in support of each other.

I visited another amazing community business in the shape of Kissingate Brewery and Taproom in Lower Beeding. Gary and his wife Bunny have been brewing amazing beers for 20 years. And they’re not half bad at it either, if the wall decorated with national awards is anything to go by.

I was even more impressed by their commitment to community life. They have created a kind of social club. It’s simply impossible to spend much time there without meeting everyone else. In an age when all we seem to hear about is pubs closing down they continue to thrive, despite their remote country location.

I celebrate these local champions but I also sound a warning to the government, that we musn’t take them for granted. A business like Budgens in Southwater is being hit with higher National Insurance charges, higher business rates, a higher minimum wage (which must be paid for by business, not the government) and more demanding employment rights – all at the same time.

Higher wages and improved rights are desirable. But Rachel Reeves has not considered the cumulative impact on some industries. Whoever ends up as our Prime Minister needs to think again.