Fed Vice President Meets his Local Member of Parliament, Tony Vaughan MP

08/12/2025

The Fed’s National Vice President, Hemanshu Patel, met his MP Tony Vaughan at his business Saltwood General Stores near Hythe in Kent on Friday 5^th December, where they discussed some of the challenges facing independent retail following the Budget and ahead of Small Business Saturday on the 6^th.

Mr. Vaughan has been the Labour MP representing the surrounding Folkestone and Hythe constituency since last July’s General election. The visit follows a similar meeting in the neighbouring Dover and Deal constituency last month with the local MP Mike Tapp.

Hemanshu Patel said: “We had an open and frank conversation and I explained the vital role that this shop plays as the only shop in the village. My family and I have run the shop since 1989 and since then other businesses have fallen back, but I continue to provide a friendly local face which customers recognise, as well as things like Home News Delivery and parcel services, and the full range of convenience products that people need day to day – just like Fed members across the country.”

Mr. Patel added: “I also was able to raise certain concerns Fed members have including the need for more targeted action on the illicit trade by trading standards and all branches of law enforcement. We also touched on rising costs which have hit small independent retailers in the last few years and concern about Business rate changes. The Fed and I look forward to engaging with Mr. Vaughan and his Parliamentary colleagues going forward and he has promised to collaborate with us on this, especially the work on better enforcement on tackling rogue traders in retail.”

Mr. Vaughan commented: “It was great to meet with Hemanshu and discuss some of the work the Labour Government is doing to make life better for small businesses, such as the Winter of Action aimed at boosting Neighbourhood policing. However, we recognise the challenges small businesses face and the importance of sustaining them, so will pick up on some of what we discussed particularly about the problems caused by High Street rogue traders. I look forward to speaking with Hemanshu further and visiting Saltwood General Stores again soon.”

If you are a Fed member and would be interested in finding out more about the Fed’s Political Engagement work or maybe inviting your MP to your business to discuss the challenges faced by Independent Retailers, please get in touch by email: douglas.oliver@nfrn.org.uk