It’s been a busy time recently as leader of Reform UK. In the last week alone, I travelled to Cardiff to announce our leader in Wales ahead of crucial elections there on May 7th. I then hot-footed it up to Manchester to open the Reform campaign HQ in the Gorton & Denton by-election, where we are in a three-way fight with Labour and the Greens. But I always find time to come back to Clacton and get behind local causes.

I have been a supporter of the Jaywick Sands Community Forum since I was first elected as your local MP in 2024. Cllr Bradley Thomas does a fantastic job fighting for residents and I am always happy to help. After making my £1,000 donation to the organisers, on Friday I headed down to the Princes Theatre at the Town Hall for a glamorous evening of charity boxing — with a number of local stars on display, including the chairman of Clacton’s Reform branch! It was truly a fantastic evening and we were even joined by the latest recruit to my party… fellow Essex MP Andrew Rosindell. My message is simple: let’s get kids off social media and get them keeping fit and out doing stuff!

At the weekend I made a number of visits across the constituency. Clacton FC have been a part of the community for over 130 years but the bad situation there has been rumbling on for some time. The local council owns the ground and there is a rent owed. They are desperate to keep football going, but there is a real chance that the club will be gone. They have put proposals in and are willing to do whatever it takes to get a new lease and take the club forward. For my part, I’m doing everything I can to help.

A good piece of local news is the launch of independent radio station Shore Radio. They will broadcast live DJ shows, news and all your favourite music from the heart of Tendring. They have just got their DAB licence and I went along to witness their launch day first-hand. Owners Mark Coe and Mark Adams will move into a studio in Frinton soon. I am sure you will join me in wishing them the best of luck!