Sussex born Simon, lives with his wife and his six children in East Brighton.
HE was elected as the Conservative MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven at the last general election in May, 2010.
Simon was first elected to represent the people of Kemptown in 1992, as a Councillor on East Sussex County Council. Following this, he was a representative for Ovingdean, Rottingdean and Saltdean on both Brighton Borough and Brighton and Hove City Councils, and has been a School Governor at a number of schools during the past 20 years.
Simon says: “It has been an honour to be MP for the past five years for the Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven constituency. It is a special, distinctive place and I have worked hard to represent people from all walks of life.
“Alongside securing the funding for the £480m redevelopment of the Sussex County Hospital and supporting the fund-raising efforts for the Saltdean Lido, I am proud of the role I played in ensuring that the Equal Marriage Act became law. Attending one of the first ever same-sex marriages in the UK, here in Brighton, was an incredible moment during my first term. I have also helped those facing persecution in their home countries because of their sexual orientation and who seek asylum in Britain.
“I intend to continue with this hard work and constituency support in the next five years if I am returned to serve in the next Parliament.”
Simon’s position on the Stonewall Equality Manifesto: To download Manifesto, click here:
Statutory PSHE and Sex and Relationships Education for primary and secondary schools in England: I believe that personal, social, health and education (PSHE) is very important at all levels of a child’s development. All Local Authority secondary schools are legally required to teach sex and relationship education. I am clear that sex and relationship education is a significant part of PSHE. Schools should ensure young people develop positive values and a moral framework that will guide their behaviour.
The guidance covers a range of issues within PSHE:
• How to avoid exploitation and abuse;
• How the law applies to sexual relationships;
• It also ensures that pupils receive appropriate teaching, having regard to’ age and religious or cultural background.
• It is important to me that the issues facing LGBT young people are included in PSHE.
Combatting homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crime: I absolutely agree with the need to combat homophobic, biphobic and transphobic crime and make it an aggravated offence. I am particularly keen to see awareness raised of these issues and to ensure that anyone affected will feel able to make known to the authorities their own experiences and be received in a sympathetic and constructive way. Reporting is key to ensuring that. I brought the Home Secretary to St James’s Street to show her how policing takes place in the ‘gay village’ and so she could take back to Whitehall findings and suggestions. People have a right to live in dignity and tackling hate crime is a vital part of that.
International Aid: International Aid has been an important part of the Coalition’s programme for government over the last five years. The 0.7% target has been reached now and that important milestone will bring support to many people around the World. Aid money should be used to improve the well-being of all the citizens of a country not just a limited section or group. Therefore by definition, LGBT people should also be part of the ongoing decisions about aid spending in those countries. It will be part of my work in the next House of Commons to ensure that aid is working in the right way for LGBT people.
Reviewing the law affecting trans people: Trans people form a very important part of the community and their needs and contribution should be acknowledged. I have publicly supported the trans manifestos published in the election and I look forward to working with trans people if I am returned to serve in the House of Commons.
Simon’s position on the future Commissioning of Health Services and how that affects the Sussex Beacon:
“The National Health Service is and always will be the cornerstone of this country’s health care. Its basic principles, being free at the point of use, paid for out of general taxation and care based on need. There is room though for third party services like the wonderful work done by the Sussex Beacon. I would support continued funding over the next five years and will campaign to keep resources flowing. My concern is those who want a public-only NHS. What place does it leave for voluntary organisations like the Beacon that don’t fit into that rigid structure?”
For a full list of candidates standing in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, click here: