About Mary Varrall

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokeman for Bexhill and Battle

Welcome to my Web Page! I was delighted to be re-selected as PPC for Bexhill & Battle in December 2006. Standing in the General Election of 2005 was a very sharp learning curve and I am glad of the opportunity to spend more time getting to know you.

• Bexhill and Battle 2005 Election Result.

Since re-selection I have been able to get to know the constituency even better…..to meet members and supporters from Peasmarsh to Pevensey …. to hear what you think about local issues ranging from green wheelie-bins to the Link Road.

As a Parish Council Chair and a member of the Standards Board I see Local Government from both ends.

As a Garden Designer I have something in common with constituents from horticultural societies, small businesses, and everyone with a garden. I was really pleased to be invited to join the Bexhill in Bloom committee. As a working housewife and mother I am familiar with all the day to day problems of schooling, household budgets, and finding time for my family …..

I hope you will take a look at the things I have been doing in Bexhill & Battle over the past couple of years in my "picture diary". One day I hope to represent you at Westminster. Please get in touch if there is anything you would like to discuss with me. Mary Varrall Southernhay, Fontridge Lane, Etchingham TN 19 7DD  01580 819470 mob. 07956 654795  mary@varrall.fsnet.co.uk

• Contact Mary Varrall.

More About Mary

Mary started her working life after gaining a qualification in Business Studies. The recession in the '70s brought that career to an end. Having moved to Sussex and seen two children into education she then gained a degree at Hadlow College and the University of Greenwich in Landscape Management. As a result she now runs her own Garden Design and Horticultural Consultation business.

An active interest and participation in local organisations and affairs has led Mary to develop her political interest and ambitions to national level.

Mary likes to spend time with widely dispersed friends and family generally fitting in some gardening and cooking. Now that her two children are grown up and, when space in a busy diary permits, she also likes to spend any remaining free time walking or cycling or on a Narrow Boat with her husband, all pursuits which reflect her healthy regard for and enjoyment of the natural environment.

Mary Says...

Mary writes a weekly column for the online Observer, Bexhill Today (or Rye & Battle Today). To access this simply type Mary Varrall into your search engine. Current and back issues at Mary Varrall Observer Articles (http://www.bexhillobserver.net/libdem)

30 Most Recent Stories From Rye and Battle Observer - Rye and Battle News - Mary Varrall

Wed 24th Mar 2010:

A Real Town Council.

At last week's Bexhill Town Forum there was a brave attempt by the new Chairman to make this body more democratic and to give the people of Bexhill a stronger voice.

Wed 17th Mar 2010:

A New Spring.

Spring is traditionally a time for cleaning up and starting afresh. I believe Liberal Democrats don't need to clean up their act.

Wed 10th Mar 2010:

A fair trade for all.

The current Labour Government may not yet have announced the date of the forthcoming General Election but to all intents and purposes it may as well have done. We know for ce

Wed 17th Feb 2010:

Committed to improving Education.

The Liberal Democrats have announced nationally a major funding commitment to boost education.

Wed 10th Feb 2010:

Down in the Woods.

Last week, on a day when it wasn't raining or snowing, I met with a group of Liberal Democrat Rother Councillors, Bexhill Against Landfill (BALI) members and Alan

Wed 3rd Feb 2010:

A Mixed Week.

As I often like to be unconventional I will start with a postscript.

Wed 27th Jan 2010:

Old Homes made new.

Last week The Liberal Democrats nationally launched plans to revitalise Britain's industrial towns and cities.

Wed 20th Jan 2010:

Lessons from Mistakes.

As the cold weather continues I hope that everyone learns from their mistakes and experiences.

Wed 6th Jan 2010:

New Year Wishes .

The Christmas baubles are packed up again and the New Year wishes have faded away to be replaced by – a General Election Campaign.

Wed 23rd Dec 2009:

More Weather on the Way.

As I write this on Tuesday morning the sun is shining brightly and the last of the snow which fell on Thursday and Friday is fast disappearing.

Wed 16th Dec 2009:

Improve our Rail Service.

I might have been expected this week to write about the Chancellor's Pre Budget Report. I have only two comments to make on it.

Wed 9th Dec 2009:

Not Green Just a Deeper Shade of Blue.

At Rother cabinet this week I was pleased to hear the Tory group at last showing some doubt about the shelter proposals for the seafront.

Wed 2nd Dec 2009:

Low Taxes for Low Pay.

At this year's annual Liberal Democrat conference one of the proposals which received the most publicity was to introduce a mansion tax.

Wed 25th Nov 2009:

A call for action on empty homes.

This week is National Week of Action on Empty homes.

Wed 18th Nov 2009:

A fresh start for democracy.

Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg has put us firmly in the headlines this week with his challenge to the Queens Speech.

Wed 11th Nov 2009:

No Landfill.

The packed public meeting held by BALI last Friday was generally a cross party affair, showing the proposal by the County Council to include Ashdown Brickworks as a site for l

Wed 4th Nov 2009:

No Landfill in North Bexhill.

BALI has called a Public Meeting this Friday in protest against County Council proposals for a landfill site at Ashdown Brickworks in Bexhill.

Wed 28th Oct 2009:

Sign Up to 10:10 Now.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the Climate Crunch and the Leader of Rother District Council's refusal to sign up to the 10:10 campaign.

Fri 16th Oct 2009:

No more Boot Sales.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable has this week voiced clear opposition to Prime Minister Gordon Brown's proposal to sell off what is left of the family silve

Wed 7th Oct 2009:

Seafront Objections.

A large number of the residents of Bexhill are angry about Rother District Council's proposals for the seafront.

Wed 30th Sep 2009:

Climate Crunch.

In Bournemouth last week the main topics of debate were The Economy and The Environment.

Wed 23rd Sep 2009:

Report from Bournemouth.

Life, as ever, is hectic.

Wed 16th Sep 2009:

No Second Job.

Last week The Daily Mail and the Bexhill Observer carried a report of our MP Gregory Barker's private employment.

Wed 9th Sep 2009:

Saving the NHS.

Like many people, I have been very glad over the last few weeks that we have our National Health Service.

Wed 22nd Jul 2009:

Giant Leap still awaited.

Celebrations are currently marking 40 years since the moon landing.

Wed 8th Jul 2009:

A Plea for Openness and Honesty.

I have just returned from a trip through central England.

Wed 1st Jul 2009:

Good Policy to Halt Climate Change.

In the recent elections there was a small increase in the number of people voting for the Green Party.

Wed 24th Jun 2009:

Committed to Ending Rural Poverty.

I feel very privileged to live in the countryside.

Wed 17th Jun 2009:

Vote for a Better Voting System.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has now acknowledged the need for electoral reform with a short statement in Parliament.

Wed 3rd Jun 2009:

The Protest Vote.

There was a time when the protest vote went to Liberal Democrats.

Earlier Stories

Complete archive on the official site.