I also want to thank everyone who voted for me. I’m pleased we ran a clean and energetic campaign in Brighton Pavilion and I am humbled by how many people cast their ballot for me in what was a very hard fought election. Thank you everyone.

I’m also very grateful to the amazing Labour team that has supported me over the past three years. It’s testament to all the wonderful people in Brighton Pavilion Labour Party, and volunteers from near and far, that Steve and I can say that we have made so many friends over the course of the campaign.You have been sensational and tireless and I can't thank you all enough.

I’d also like to send my best wishes to Charlotte and Berni who were always courteous and warm to me when we met over the course of the election. I was a historic campaign with an all woman line up from the main parties and I’m very proud to have been part of that.

I’m also particularly pleased that we have shown Brighton Pavilion to be an overwhelmingly progressive and forward looking place to live. The Conservatives came third: that’s a first here and good news.

Thanks again to everyone who worked so hard for Labour. I have been overwhelmed by messages of support and best wishes, and I’m very grateful. I’ll get back to you all soon but now me and Steve are enjoying a weekend in Brighton, loving the Festival and taking time to love living in this great city.

You know me. I’m passionate about Brighton. I’m keen to take up your causes. I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty. Unlike my Tory and Green opponents, I actually live in our fabulous city. That’s why I understand the issues that Brightonians like you care about. I want to be your MP because I love Brighton.

The Greens keep saying only they can win. They are wrong!

The Greens like to mention the local and European election results in their leaflets. But a General Election is different. Turnout is higher in a General Election. The Greens also like to show you the graph of an opinion poll they paid for. That poll shows the Greens in the lead: but it would say that, wouldn’t it?

The Greens have a massive hill to climb if they want to win. A Green vote risks a Conservative MP. David Cameron is hoping that we elect another Conservative MP here. But he'd rather have a Green MP than a Labour MP.

I want to be your local Labour MP. Don’t let anyone tell you that your vote is wasted. I’m fighting to win. Vote Labour!

Afterwards the Prime Minister popped down to the seafront to meet voters and do some interviews and media stuff. Thankfully the sun was out. He was greeted enthusiastically by people down at the playground by the West Pier. It was an enjoyable visit!

In tow, was Eddie Izzard and it was great to meet him too. Did you see his party election broadcast on Friday evening?

That’s why I’m asking every Labour supporter to show a poster in their window. There are plenty up already (thanks!) but this really is a case of the more the merrier.

If you would like a poster, or a garden stake, drop me a line with your address and we’ll send one out. Contact the office on 550141 or email me via this website.

Thanks everyone!

I was also interested to hear from people concerned about the controversial Digital Economy Bill currently going through parliament. In particular, I’m interested in how we can do more to make Brighton a buzzing, innovative centre for tech start ups.

About the Digital Economy Bill: I oppose it. Firstly, I don’t think any law should pass through parliament without being properly scrutinised, consulted on and amended. Rushed law is bad law and the Digital Economy Bill is being pushed through without the careful consideration it deserves. It’s not an urgent bill and I think it can wait until the next parliament.

Process aside, it’s a bad bill. It’s a very big bill that touches all manner of areas including DAB radio and Channel 4 and much of that law is uncontroversial. But it’s the aspects related to file sharing that concern me. In particular, the penalties it levies are too punitive and don’t necessarily punish the right people. I don’t think that I should be held responsible if someone uses my internet connection to download copyrighted files, for instance.

On a very practical level it will be bad for people who use free wifi in public areas such as pubs and cafes. In Brighton those people are co-workers, freelancers, students and plenty of others. I think it would be very harmful to our vibrant digital culture if we didn’t have so much wifi publicly available.

Question 1
If elected, would you support the continued use of Control Orders for persons suspected of “terrorism-related activities?”

I am against the continuation of the use of Control Orders for people suspected of terrorism related activities.

Question 2
If elected, would you support a full, independent and impartial inquiry into UK involvement in rendition and secret detention?

Yes, it is important to have transparency and human rights should be at the heart of everything we do. I am against extraordinary rendition, secret detention and the use of torture techniques.

Question 3
Article 146 of the Fourth Geneva Convention obliges signatory nations to seek out and bring to trial persons suspected of war crimes. This is the principle of Universal Jurisdiction. The government is considering the introduction of legislation to restrict the use of this power in UK courts. If elected, would you support or oppose these proposed changes?

I would oppose measures to restrict the power of Universal Jurisdiction.

Question 4
The principles contained in the European Convention on Human Rights were enshrined in UK law by the Human Rights Act 1998. If elected, would you support alterations to the Human Rights Act, or would you wish to see it maintained in its current form?

I would like to see the Human Rights Act strengthened; it certainly should not be watered down or scrapped.

Question 5
Women in the UK with insecure immigration statuses have “no recourse to public funds.” As a consequence, if these women suffer domestic abuse, they have been unable to access the benefits they need to gain protection and support. Following a mass lobby of parliament on 4 November 2009, a three-month pilot scheme has been established to grant such women access to refuges and specialised support. If elected, what permanent measures would you support to ensure protection for women in these circumstances?

Women with insecure immigration status should have be assured of a safe place to stay (with their children) access to public funds and healthcare, especially if pregnant or suffering from a permanent medical condition. I also want to see support in the form of legal aid, counselling, help with developing a plan for their future to ensure their long term safety including a ‘fast track’ through the immigration system.

Question 6
If elected, would you support a UK Commission with a remit to investigate human rights abuses committed abroad by UK-based companies?

I would support a commission to investigate human rights abuses by UK based companies abroad.

Staff at Sussex have told me that the University has been in financial difficulty for a number of years and that some cuts are due to bad management and poor financial decisions made in the past. They’re also telling me that they have suggested alternatives including part-time hours or taking extended unpaid leave to protect jobs, but that these options are not being fully considered. More time is needed for adequate scrutiny and analysis of a package of measures which could make or break the future of the University of Sussex. I am opposed to compulsory redundancies and concerned at the disproportionate number of trade union reps that seem to be included in the redundancy pools.

I want to see proper consultation and transparency in the process that is now taking place to make Sussex a viable and successful academic institution. However, it is important to preserve its culture as a place of education and learning rather than a business generating profits. The introduction of more senior managers and increasing the ratio of students to teaching staff concerns me.

At a time when the Labour government are investing in sexual health awareness, it does not make sense for the Unisex service for students on campus to be closed. It may not be part of the ‘core business’ of a university to provide such a service but preventing the transmission of STIs will make a difference to many young people’s lives – in some cases, the difference between being able to have a family or not.

Equally, I am concerned that the loss of childcare on site will disproportionately impact on disadvantaged students, and staff or students who are lone parents. I understand that the University has not yet been in touch with Brighton and Hove Young People's Trust about where an additional 80 childcare places can be provided for students and staff at Sussex university if this service is closed.

Along with the three MPs and Simon Burgess, candidate for Kemptown, I have met with UCU reps, Senate members, students and the NUS to hear their concerns. The MPs have met with the Vice-Chancellor, and Simon and I met with Simon Fanshawe, Chair of the Council to discuss the issues raised. I joined the UCU and students on the picket line on Thursday at the University of Sussex to oppose the cuts at Sussex and the way in which they are being implemented.

I have watched the videos of the demonstration that were sent to me and David Lepper MP, Celia Barlow MP and Des Turner MP have asked for an enquiry into the actions of the police and the subsequent suspension of six students following the recent demonstration. I am pleased the Sussex six have been reinstated, one incident should not be allowed to damage their education over the long-term.

I write to pledge my support for your March for Jobs and apologise for not being able to join you today.
The fight to ensure high levels of employment in Brighton & Hove is crucial to all of us and not just those in the effected industries and the importance of solidarity across all the communities of the City is essential.

Whether it is the University, the banks, the railways, the fire service or the Council the fight to protect jobs and services is at the heart of my beliefs. I have a long history of working with and for the trade union movement and promise to you all that should I be elected to Parliament my support will not waver.

Good luck with your campaign and my very best wishes to you all.

Nancy Platts

Families with a child in years 3 to 9 at school and eligible for free school meals can apply for the special laptop and broadband access by calling 0333 200 1004 or by visiting www.homeaccess.org.uk.

The scheme, which has been launched by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the schools secretary, Ed Balls will mean thousands of children and their parents will be able to get internet access at home to boost their school work. Trials of the programme showed that children who benefitted spent an hour more each week learning online, compared to their classmates who already had the internet at home. And 81 per cent of parents believed that home access had increased their involvement in their child’s learning.

Over the past weeks and months I’ve spent time with faith groups to find out more about the massive contributions they make to the community and hear more about their concerns and views. In the past few weeks, for instance, I was pleased to meet with Archie Coates of St Peter’s Church to find out about the work he and his team are doing. I was delighted to join a service at Gloucester Street Baptist Church a few Sundays ago to talk about my values and also hear from worshippers there. In February I joined the YMCA at their Sleep Easy event to highlight the problem of homelessness.

I’ve also enjoyed a longer association with Fareshare, a charity backed by Churches Together in Sussex that redistributes surplus supermarket food to people who need it. I volunteered for a day with the team last year and was hugely impressed by the tremendous work they do and the boost they give to all sorts of vulnerable people.

Church and faith groups of all kinds make a variety of contributions to our city’s life, in particular tackling poverty on the ground. As an anti-poverty campaigner in my work life, I’m keen to support them. For me, one of the most striking things about the work these groups do is the focus and importance they attach to self-esteem and developing confidence, often having a transformational effect on people’s lives. Whether it’s the volunteers themselves or the people getting the help, making sure that people are valued is at the core of the work. I’m always impressed with that and think that anyone, regardless of their personal faith, can support that too.