Tony Vaughan KC MP
@tonyvaughanmp.bsky.social
Proud to be the Labour MP for Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh. King's Counsel. Doing my best.
tonyvaughan.co.uk
tonyvaughan.co.uk
Local services in our area are on their knees having suffered from historical funding neglect for decades.
The IMD figures that were recently released are especially shocking.
I will continue to push relentlessly for a better deal for #Folkestone, #Hythe and #RomneyMarsh.
The IMD figures that were recently released are especially shocking.
I will continue to push relentlessly for a better deal for #Folkestone, #Hythe and #RomneyMarsh.
November 24, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Local services in our area are on their knees having suffered from historical funding neglect for decades.
The IMD figures that were recently released are especially shocking.
I will continue to push relentlessly for a better deal for #Folkestone, #Hythe and #RomneyMarsh.
The IMD figures that were recently released are especially shocking.
I will continue to push relentlessly for a better deal for #Folkestone, #Hythe and #RomneyMarsh.
The UK isn’t a “soft touch” on asylum.
UK asylum seeker benefits are similar to European neighbours
No right to work before 12 months (it’s 6 months in France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands)
UK settlement after 5 years (it’s 3 or 4 in Germany)
Let’s cut out the alarmist rhetoric.
UK asylum seeker benefits are similar to European neighbours
No right to work before 12 months (it’s 6 months in France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands)
UK settlement after 5 years (it’s 3 or 4 in Germany)
Let’s cut out the alarmist rhetoric.
November 19, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The UK isn’t a “soft touch” on asylum.
UK asylum seeker benefits are similar to European neighbours
No right to work before 12 months (it’s 6 months in France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands)
UK settlement after 5 years (it’s 3 or 4 in Germany)
Let’s cut out the alarmist rhetoric.
UK asylum seeker benefits are similar to European neighbours
No right to work before 12 months (it’s 6 months in France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands)
UK settlement after 5 years (it’s 3 or 4 in Germany)
Let’s cut out the alarmist rhetoric.
The Government is wrong to think that reviews of safety in the person's country every few years will mean refugees can be returned at scale. That hasn't happened in Denmark. Brutal dictators tend to hang onto power. It would just move huge amounts of resource away from making our asylum system...
November 16, 2025 at 5:47 PM
The Government is wrong to think that reviews of safety in the person's country every few years will mean refugees can be returned at scale. That hasn't happened in Denmark. Brutal dictators tend to hang onto power. It would just move huge amounts of resource away from making our asylum system...
It is unacceptable that Littlestone and Dymchurch beaches still have “no swim” warnings in place. Dymchurch has seen big improvements this year, so I wrote to the Environment Agency asking to upgrade Dymchurch’s rating.
I will be meeting the Water Minister to press the situation next week.
I will be meeting the Water Minister to press the situation next week.
November 14, 2025 at 10:55 AM
It is unacceptable that Littlestone and Dymchurch beaches still have “no swim” warnings in place. Dymchurch has seen big improvements this year, so I wrote to the Environment Agency asking to upgrade Dymchurch’s rating.
I will be meeting the Water Minister to press the situation next week.
I will be meeting the Water Minister to press the situation next week.
It was an honour to hold a minute's silence to commemorate the incredible contribution of Gurkha communities.
In Folkestone, we are lucky to have the Royal Gurkha Rifles 1st Battalion situated at the heart of our community.
Thank you Alex Baker for organising a beautiful ceremony.
#Gurkhas
In Folkestone, we are lucky to have the Royal Gurkha Rifles 1st Battalion situated at the heart of our community.
Thank you Alex Baker for organising a beautiful ceremony.
#Gurkhas
November 6, 2025 at 4:16 PM
It was an honour to hold a minute's silence to commemorate the incredible contribution of Gurkha communities.
In Folkestone, we are lucky to have the Royal Gurkha Rifles 1st Battalion situated at the heart of our community.
Thank you Alex Baker for organising a beautiful ceremony.
#Gurkhas
In Folkestone, we are lucky to have the Royal Gurkha Rifles 1st Battalion situated at the heart of our community.
Thank you Alex Baker for organising a beautiful ceremony.
#Gurkhas
Our military personnel put their lives on the line to keep Britain safe.
This Labour Government is upgrading 9 in 10 military residences across the UK with a £9 billion investment through the Defence Housing Strategy.
Homes fit for heroes. Delivered by Labour. 🇬🇧
This Labour Government is upgrading 9 in 10 military residences across the UK with a £9 billion investment through the Defence Housing Strategy.
Homes fit for heroes. Delivered by Labour. 🇬🇧
November 6, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Our military personnel put their lives on the line to keep Britain safe.
This Labour Government is upgrading 9 in 10 military residences across the UK with a £9 billion investment through the Defence Housing Strategy.
Homes fit for heroes. Delivered by Labour. 🇬🇧
This Labour Government is upgrading 9 in 10 military residences across the UK with a £9 billion investment through the Defence Housing Strategy.
Homes fit for heroes. Delivered by Labour. 🇬🇧
For decades, too many renters have lived at the mercy of rogue landlords.
Labour have rebalanced that relationship with the Renters Rights Act.
Interesting that Reform backed the landlords, rather than voting to give renters the security they deserve...
#RentersRightsBill #Labour
Labour have rebalanced that relationship with the Renters Rights Act.
Interesting that Reform backed the landlords, rather than voting to give renters the security they deserve...
#RentersRightsBill #Labour
November 4, 2025 at 10:29 AM
For decades, too many renters have lived at the mercy of rogue landlords.
Labour have rebalanced that relationship with the Renters Rights Act.
Interesting that Reform backed the landlords, rather than voting to give renters the security they deserve...
#RentersRightsBill #Labour
Labour have rebalanced that relationship with the Renters Rights Act.
Interesting that Reform backed the landlords, rather than voting to give renters the security they deserve...
#RentersRightsBill #Labour
Since July 2024, Kent Labour MPs have been pulling out all the stops to bring international rail back to Ashford.
This is a key hurdle that we have cleared, and we will carry on fighting.
#AshfordInternational #ORR #Ashford #eurostar #virgintrains #virgin
This is a key hurdle that we have cleared, and we will carry on fighting.
#AshfordInternational #ORR #Ashford #eurostar #virgintrains #virgin
October 30, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Since July 2024, Kent Labour MPs have been pulling out all the stops to bring international rail back to Ashford.
This is a key hurdle that we have cleared, and we will carry on fighting.
#AshfordInternational #ORR #Ashford #eurostar #virgintrains #virgin
This is a key hurdle that we have cleared, and we will carry on fighting.
#AshfordInternational #ORR #Ashford #eurostar #virgintrains #virgin
I voted against Farage’s “Brexit 2.0” bill today.
It had 0% chance of becoming law.
But his lie that Parliament is not sovereign had to be slapped down.
PARLIAMENT IS ALREADY SOVEREIGN. It’s ALREADY in control. NO court can overrule Acts of Parliament.
1/2
It had 0% chance of becoming law.
But his lie that Parliament is not sovereign had to be slapped down.
PARLIAMENT IS ALREADY SOVEREIGN. It’s ALREADY in control. NO court can overrule Acts of Parliament.
1/2
October 29, 2025 at 8:32 PM
I voted against Farage’s “Brexit 2.0” bill today.
It had 0% chance of becoming law.
But his lie that Parliament is not sovereign had to be slapped down.
PARLIAMENT IS ALREADY SOVEREIGN. It’s ALREADY in control. NO court can overrule Acts of Parliament.
1/2
It had 0% chance of becoming law.
But his lie that Parliament is not sovereign had to be slapped down.
PARLIAMENT IS ALREADY SOVEREIGN. It’s ALREADY in control. NO court can overrule Acts of Parliament.
1/2
Our judiciary is world renowned.
Yet this man wants to hand pick our judges and destroy centuries of judicial independence. It would be a full-scale assault on British democracy and our values. Judges should be picked on merit, not ideology - and Jenrick knows it.
#Jenrick
Yet this man wants to hand pick our judges and destroy centuries of judicial independence. It would be a full-scale assault on British democracy and our values. Judges should be picked on merit, not ideology - and Jenrick knows it.
#Jenrick
October 8, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Our judiciary is world renowned.
Yet this man wants to hand pick our judges and destroy centuries of judicial independence. It would be a full-scale assault on British democracy and our values. Judges should be picked on merit, not ideology - and Jenrick knows it.
#Jenrick
Yet this man wants to hand pick our judges and destroy centuries of judicial independence. It would be a full-scale assault on British democracy and our values. Judges should be picked on merit, not ideology - and Jenrick knows it.
#Jenrick
- Improving water quality: £104 billion nationally
- New nuclear projects: £30 billion nationally
More is yet to come, such as the hopeful restoration of international rail at Ashford International.
This is a Government not procrastinating, but acting.
#Labour #Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh
- New nuclear projects: £30 billion nationally
More is yet to come, such as the hopeful restoration of international rail at Ashford International.
This is a Government not procrastinating, but acting.
#Labour #Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh
September 23, 2025 at 10:36 AM
- Improving water quality: £104 billion nationally
- New nuclear projects: £30 billion nationally
More is yet to come, such as the hopeful restoration of international rail at Ashford International.
This is a Government not procrastinating, but acting.
#Labour #Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh
- New nuclear projects: £30 billion nationally
More is yet to come, such as the hopeful restoration of international rail at Ashford International.
This is a Government not procrastinating, but acting.
#Labour #Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh
How have Folkestone, Hythe, and Romney Marsh benefited from Government infrastructure investment since Labour came to power?
- East Kent Hospitals Trust: £13 million
- Flood defences in our area: £2.8 million
- Filling potholes: £67 million across Kent
- East Kent Hospitals Trust: £13 million
- Flood defences in our area: £2.8 million
- Filling potholes: £67 million across Kent
September 23, 2025 at 10:35 AM
How have Folkestone, Hythe, and Romney Marsh benefited from Government infrastructure investment since Labour came to power?
- East Kent Hospitals Trust: £13 million
- Flood defences in our area: £2.8 million
- Filling potholes: £67 million across Kent
- East Kent Hospitals Trust: £13 million
- Flood defences in our area: £2.8 million
- Filling potholes: £67 million across Kent
When I first met Palestinian Ambassador last year, he said that the single most important diplomatic step the UK could take would be to recognise Palestine as a State.
We have.
There can be no two state solution without recognising Palestine’s right to exist.
#Palestine #Palestinianrecognition
We have.
There can be no two state solution without recognising Palestine’s right to exist.
#Palestine #Palestinianrecognition
September 22, 2025 at 4:01 PM
When I first met Palestinian Ambassador last year, he said that the single most important diplomatic step the UK could take would be to recognise Palestine as a State.
We have.
There can be no two state solution without recognising Palestine’s right to exist.
#Palestine #Palestinianrecognition
We have.
There can be no two state solution without recognising Palestine’s right to exist.
#Palestine #Palestinianrecognition
The Tories' disastrous Brexit project ripped up our returns agreement with the EU.
It took a Labour Government to sort out their mess and negotiate a new deal with France.
This would never have been possible had we left the European Convention on Human Rights, as the Tories and Reform would like.
It took a Labour Government to sort out their mess and negotiate a new deal with France.
This would never have been possible had we left the European Convention on Human Rights, as the Tories and Reform would like.
September 17, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The Tories' disastrous Brexit project ripped up our returns agreement with the EU.
It took a Labour Government to sort out their mess and negotiate a new deal with France.
This would never have been possible had we left the European Convention on Human Rights, as the Tories and Reform would like.
It took a Labour Government to sort out their mess and negotiate a new deal with France.
This would never have been possible had we left the European Convention on Human Rights, as the Tories and Reform would like.
Yesterday, I met with KCC Cllr David Wimble at my invitation in Parliament.
David and I disagree on many things. But we do agree that politics should serve the people of Romney Marsh, Hythe and Folkestone.
I look forward to a new chapter of civility and cooperation going forward.
David and I disagree on many things. But we do agree that politics should serve the people of Romney Marsh, Hythe and Folkestone.
I look forward to a new chapter of civility and cooperation going forward.
September 17, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Yesterday, I met with KCC Cllr David Wimble at my invitation in Parliament.
David and I disagree on many things. But we do agree that politics should serve the people of Romney Marsh, Hythe and Folkestone.
I look forward to a new chapter of civility and cooperation going forward.
David and I disagree on many things. But we do agree that politics should serve the people of Romney Marsh, Hythe and Folkestone.
I look forward to a new chapter of civility and cooperation going forward.
Fighting for Ashford.
We delivered a letter yesterday to the regulator to stress the incredible economic and social benefits of opening up competition and making the right decision for Kent.
#Ashfordinternational #Eurostar #Kent #Labour #Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh
We delivered a letter yesterday to the regulator to stress the incredible economic and social benefits of opening up competition and making the right decision for Kent.
#Ashfordinternational #Eurostar #Kent #Labour #Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh
September 17, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Fighting for Ashford.
We delivered a letter yesterday to the regulator to stress the incredible economic and social benefits of opening up competition and making the right decision for Kent.
#Ashfordinternational #Eurostar #Kent #Labour #Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh
We delivered a letter yesterday to the regulator to stress the incredible economic and social benefits of opening up competition and making the right decision for Kent.
#Ashfordinternational #Eurostar #Kent #Labour #Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh
Because of Bridget:
🍽️Half of all schoolchildren in #Folkestone, #Hythe and #RomneyMarsh now get free school meals.
👶Parents get 30 hours of funded childcare a week.
👩🏫Our state schools have 6,500 more teachers.
Bridget is delivering for us.
#BackBridget
🍽️Half of all schoolchildren in #Folkestone, #Hythe and #RomneyMarsh now get free school meals.
👶Parents get 30 hours of funded childcare a week.
👩🏫Our state schools have 6,500 more teachers.
Bridget is delivering for us.
#BackBridget
September 15, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Because of Bridget:
🍽️Half of all schoolchildren in #Folkestone, #Hythe and #RomneyMarsh now get free school meals.
👶Parents get 30 hours of funded childcare a week.
👩🏫Our state schools have 6,500 more teachers.
Bridget is delivering for us.
#BackBridget
🍽️Half of all schoolchildren in #Folkestone, #Hythe and #RomneyMarsh now get free school meals.
👶Parents get 30 hours of funded childcare a week.
👩🏫Our state schools have 6,500 more teachers.
Bridget is delivering for us.
#BackBridget
Vandalism on Royal Military Avenue.
True patriots wake up and ask themselves how they can improve their country. They do not vandalise our public infrastructure, defacing signs and costing the taxpayer money.
Vandalism is not patriotism.
True patriots wake up and ask themselves how they can improve their country. They do not vandalise our public infrastructure, defacing signs and costing the taxpayer money.
Vandalism is not patriotism.
September 8, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Vandalism on Royal Military Avenue.
True patriots wake up and ask themselves how they can improve their country. They do not vandalise our public infrastructure, defacing signs and costing the taxpayer money.
Vandalism is not patriotism.
True patriots wake up and ask themselves how they can improve their country. They do not vandalise our public infrastructure, defacing signs and costing the taxpayer money.
Vandalism is not patriotism.
I was elected on a mandate to hold the Environment Agency and Southern Water to account, to ensure that they do everything they can to improve water quality in our community.
That is why I have written to the Environment Agency to ask them to attend the next steering group meeting.
That is why I have written to the Environment Agency to ask them to attend the next steering group meeting.
August 28, 2025 at 3:26 PM
I was elected on a mandate to hold the Environment Agency and Southern Water to account, to ensure that they do everything they can to improve water quality in our community.
That is why I have written to the Environment Agency to ask them to attend the next steering group meeting.
That is why I have written to the Environment Agency to ask them to attend the next steering group meeting.
Was great to meet with Toby Howe, who is in charge of highways resilience at Kent County Council.
The main item on our agenda was Operation Brock, which I appreciate a lot of people have concerns about.
The main item on our agenda was Operation Brock, which I appreciate a lot of people have concerns about.
August 12, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Was great to meet with Toby Howe, who is in charge of highways resilience at Kent County Council.
The main item on our agenda was Operation Brock, which I appreciate a lot of people have concerns about.
The main item on our agenda was Operation Brock, which I appreciate a lot of people have concerns about.
August 5, 2025 at 1:44 PM
My statement on the situation in Gaza:
July 23, 2025 at 8:53 PM
My statement on the situation in Gaza:
🏳️⚧️🚨 New letter from MPs on trans rights & EHRC Consultation on the #ForWomenScotland ruling.
I have written a letter to the EHRC to urgently raise concerns about the Draft Code of Practice consultation after the ruling. I am proud to say that 32 of my colleagues have signed it too.
I have written a letter to the EHRC to urgently raise concerns about the Draft Code of Practice consultation after the ruling. I am proud to say that 32 of my colleagues have signed it too.
July 2, 2025 at 2:58 PM
🏳️⚧️🚨 New letter from MPs on trans rights & EHRC Consultation on the #ForWomenScotland ruling.
I have written a letter to the EHRC to urgently raise concerns about the Draft Code of Practice consultation after the ruling. I am proud to say that 32 of my colleagues have signed it too.
I have written a letter to the EHRC to urgently raise concerns about the Draft Code of Practice consultation after the ruling. I am proud to say that 32 of my colleagues have signed it too.
Recently, 9 EU leaders called for a debate on reform of the human rights Convention.
I always welcome debate. But we can do much to solve shared challenges WITHOUT cutting down rights which protect us all.
Here’s what I said to the Council of Europe about this yesterday ⬇️
I always welcome debate. But we can do much to solve shared challenges WITHOUT cutting down rights which protect us all.
Here’s what I said to the Council of Europe about this yesterday ⬇️
June 26, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Recently, 9 EU leaders called for a debate on reform of the human rights Convention.
I always welcome debate. But we can do much to solve shared challenges WITHOUT cutting down rights which protect us all.
Here’s what I said to the Council of Europe about this yesterday ⬇️
I always welcome debate. But we can do much to solve shared challenges WITHOUT cutting down rights which protect us all.
Here’s what I said to the Council of Europe about this yesterday ⬇️