In recent months, I’ve enjoyed visiting various schools throughout Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven.

The questions posed to me are seldom straightforward, which is precisely as it should be. Young people quite reasonably want to understand how decisions are reached, why politics can seem distant from their daily lives, and what steps might create a more equitable future.

This is among the reasons I back giving 16 and 17-year-olds the opportunity to vote. If someone can work, pay taxes and contribute to society at 16, they deserve a voice in how that society is governed. Beyond being the right thing to do, this would also strengthen our democracy. Enabling young people to participate earlier encourages lifelong engagement and ensures policies account for what tomorrow’s generation will face.

When I raised this matter in Parliament, I had those school discussions in mind. My experience shows young people are more than prepared to participate. That’s why I’m pleased this Labour Government will introduce legislation for lowering the voting age in the months ahead.

Of course, casting a ballot is just one element. Genuine involvement with young people requires more than that. It means providing channels for them to make their voices heard, whether through student councils, youth groups, or internship programmes like those we offer in my constituency office. It also involves making politics more approachable and less intimidating.

I’ve been particularly impressed by local students who’ve recently undertaken work experience in my office. They’ve offered new viewpoints and raised questions that get straight to the core of the issues we face. This reinforces that our political system improves when it incorporates a broader spectrum of perspectives.

While connecting with young people about tomorrow matters greatly, we also owe it to people of every age group to ensure they have the resources and assistance needed to maintain their health today.

April marks Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, a significant chance to highlight one of Britain’s most frequently occurring—and most successfully treatable—cancers when identified promptly. Awareness remains limited and participation in screening programmes falls short of where it ought to be.

Screening genuinely saves lives. It can find cancer before signs develop and even stop it from occurring initially. When caught early, the overwhelming majority of patients survive. Yet many still don’t return the straightforward test delivered to their home.

Here in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, roughly two-thirds of those eligible participate in screening. That’s encouraging, but clearly more progress is possible. Greater uptake could genuinely help identify more cases at an early stage when treatment works best.

So if you’re eligible and receive a testing kit, I’d strongly urge you to use it. And should you notice any symptoms or changes that worry you, please don’t hesitate to discuss them with your doctor. These discussions may feel uncomfortable, but they’re essential.

Looking forward, there’s encouraging news for our region. The new Sussex Cancer Centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital will revolutionise local cancer treatment, delivering quicker, more sophisticated and more expert care for patients throughout the area. It’s a substantial investment in our health service and acknowledges the magnitude of demand in Sussex.

I’ll conclude with an Albion forecast, as we face a demanding week with a visit to Tottenham followed by a home fixture against Chelsea (inconveniently scheduled for a Tuesday evening when I’ll be at Westminster!). We sit atop the current form guide, while Tottenham languish near the bottom—so despite De Zerbi’s comeback, I’m forecasting a 2-0 victory. Chelsea’s form is equally disappointing, so my optimism points to a 3-1 win here as well. Europe, here we come!