Sian Berry
The first in a regular column from our new Green MP
And just like that , my first month as the MP for Brighton Pavilion comes to a close ! What a month it ’ s been — the whirlwind of the election feels like longer ago than just a few weeks . It ’ s been remarkable seeing Parliament up close as a newcomer . We all know its reputation as somewhere full of particular processes , rules and traditions , but it ’ s another thing experiencing them firsthand . Frustratingly , its timetable meant that there were only two weeks of action before Parliament broke up for recess . That feels at such odds with the urgency of the problems that we have in front of us . I was elected to hit the ground running , to take the city ’ s issues straight to the chamber .
So that ’ s what I ’ ve done . Alongside my Green colleagues we brought the very first Early Day Motion of this Parliament , calling for urgent action to clean our seas and rivers by bringing water companies into public ownership . I spoke on the Government ’ s Rail Renationalisation bill , welcoming it as an important step forward but suggesting improvements to help it succeed and strengthen .
Despite the election already feeling like a distant memory , the spirit of the campaign that I was part of here in Brighton Pavilion still feels so alive . While so many MPs may be happy just to campaign every time they need a vote , that just isn ’ t how Brighton or I operate . Brighton has a rich history of culture , activism and community ; its MP cannot just be in Parliament , but has to be out and about in this city , living and breathing it . And I ’ ve been doing just that .
So I ’ ve joined activists from the ACORN tenants ’ union , supporting their campaign to stop Brighton Council using bailiffs to collect council tax – a cruel practice that we know has a devastating impact on those affected . Groups like ACORN fill me with hope . I ’ ve always been a renter , and know all too well how helpless and disempowered you can feel having such a fundamental part of your life subject to someone else ’ s decisions . It ’ s always a wonderful feeling to be around people so committed to fighting for the rights of all renters .
I ’ ve also been out to sea , to visit our fleet of wind turbines and hear about the exciting plans to expand the wind farm , which would generate enough electricity to power the whole of Sussex . This community saw off fracking here in Sussex – and now we ’ re part of a real green future . That ’ s something I ’ m massively proud of .
And I went to Trans Pride ! It was lovely to be back in such a joyful space , marching alongside Brighton & Hove ’ s Green councillors to call for respect and healthcare for the trans community who face horrific , dehumanising attacks . Ahead of trans pride , I wrote to the Health Secretary Wes Streeting to express my serious concerns about his statement on puberty blockers . I ’ ve heard so much pain and concern from young trans people , parents and doctors , and will keep up the pressure on this government to deliver vital trans healthcare .
When I delivered my maiden speech in Parliament , it gave me the chance to reaffirm my commitment to something that ’ s been so important to me throughout my career – raising up the voices of young people . It was an honour to speak about the incredible work of Brighton and Hove Citizens , which had just won a huge campaigning victory in getting a commitment from the council for Brighton schools to benefit from investment in mental health support and counselling .
In that speech I also talked about my pride in Brighton itself , a city I have fallen deeply in love with . We are a city of sanctuary , committed to a culture of hospitality and welcome for those seeking refuge from war and persecution ; about the exciting countercultural movements that have called Brighton home ; about the city ’ s place at the heart of the green movement .
As its MP , I have the unique privilege of bringing both the needs and the spirit of Brighton to the House of Commons . I am determined to continue being present across our city , listening to our community and understanding what it needs , so I can take that to Parliament and be your voice .
Thank you – to everyone who put their faith in me at the election and gave me the chance to speak up for our wonderful city in Parliament . I ’ ve had just a taste of how brilliant it ’ s going to be working with my constituents to stand up for Brighton and fight for a fairer , greener future both here and across the country – and I can ’ t wait to see what else this Parliament will bring .
Editorial
A
long time ago , I was 14 maybe 15 , I had a two tone suit . No , not two tone like The Specials , but proper two tone . Tonic , where the material is two different colour threads , cross weaved to create a beautiful shimmer . Tonic became popular with the original Mods and while I wasn ’ t that - I ’ m not that blimmin old - I loved the style . My suit was brown and blue tonic and was just beautiful . Later , I got married in a blown chalkstripe zoot , like Neal Cassady wore in On The Road . Still got that one
I ’ ve always loved suits . Always . Forties style , double breasted . Chalkstripe , not pinstripe . Louder the better . I was Bogart , now I ’ m more Melly . Sometimes though , standing out isn ’ t such a great thing . Not long ago , I was in That London on the tube . It was late . There was a group of four lads ...
“ Did you win , mate ? Did you win ?” one of them said , looking at his mates for the laugh . I just looked straight ahead . Didn ’ t engage . “ The fancy dress competition mate . Did you win it ?” he laughed , trying to up the ante .
“ No , I came second to some twat in high street jeans and trainers ” I didn ’ t say , because while I ’ m well dressed , I ’ m not stupid .
You don ’ t get that here . One of the things I love about being in Brighton is mostly I get “ Dapper , mate ” or maybe “ Cool suit , fella ”.
I was thinking about this because there ’ s a shop in the ‘ hood that sells clothes I haven ’ t got a clue about . I went past the hairy bikers shop and there ’ s a pair of mechanic ’ s overalls hanging in the window . What ’ s that about ? I have no idea what that ’ s about . Is it a sales thing ? Are you supposed to buy them ? Am I supposed to walk past and think “ Mechanic ’ s overalls . That ’ s really cool . That ’ s what I want to look like ”? In fairness , I ’ m . guessing they ’ re vintage mechanic ’ s overalls . Maybe they ’ re selvedge mechanic ’ s overalls . We ’ re getting into some serious cloth now . Maybe it ’ s an aspiration thing . I wanna hang out where the guys in the mechanic ’ s overalls hang out . I have no idea . And you know what ? I like that . I like that there ’ s stuff I just don ’ t understand . I ’ ve just had a rather spendid
blue and white tartan linen suit made . Six button , double breasted , no vents . Proper . I ’ ve got a friend who ’ ll spend more on a pair of jeans than that suit cost to have made . A pair of jeans . I wouldn ’ t wash the car in a pair of jeans . OK , I don ’ t own a pair of jeans , but that ’ s detail . Curiously , the friend in question is also a biker . I make no judgement .
Like I say , what I like about being here is that I can look really good and the bikers can dress on mechanic ’ s overalls and everyone ’ s happy . We all just get on with it . ( I could get all Hallmark card and go off on one about how we ’ re a rainbow community , all different and yet all the same , but ... let ’ s not ). Actually it ’ s a bit odd because , in full disclosure , the bikers won ’ t talk to us . Their call . Different idea about community , I guess . Or maybe they do try to talk to us and we just can ’ t hear them over the very manly noise of their very manly bikes . ( I never did get over my parents not getting me a Chopper )
Next to the mechanic ’ s overalls , there ’ s a lumberjack shirt . Can you imagine what the twat on the tube would say to that ?