People have told their new MP that housing is the biggest challenge they face as they struggle financially. Chris Ward, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, said he has been inundated with hundreds of emails from constituents who need support with poor housing conditions, no fault evictions and homelessness. It has been a hectic few months forming his team, finding a permanent office in the heart of Kemp Town, getting stuck in with case work and meeting organisations and residents while getting his bearings in Parliament.
“You become MP and then the next morning there is a flood of emails,” he said. “You have to start with no staff and no office.” Despite the headache of setting up his office, the MP said he has prioritised case work and meeting constituents.
The issue that comes up time and time again, he says, is housing. Read more: Chris Ward wins Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven after short campaign Mr Ward said that during a recent surgery he held in Whitehawk every case was linked in some way to housing. He has therefore employed housing specialists as case workers and has been meeting with local housing organisations and charities.
The 41-year-old said he wants to be proactive in tackling the issue and to reach those who do not get in contact. “We are missing so many problems because those affected aren’t contacting us, so they’re going under the radar,” he said. Other priorities for the new MP are the issues of sewage and the state of NHS services .