Eastbourne MP 'honoured' to win award for work with disadvantaged communities

Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde OBE stated he was "absolutely honoured" to receive the New MP of the Year Award (specifically the "New Other Party MP of the Year" category) at a ceremony held on 28 January 2026 at Speaker’s House in the Palace of Westminster

The award, presented by the Patchwork Foundation, recognises MPs who champion underrepresented, minority, or disadvantaged communities in the UK. 

Key Achievements Cited

The foundation and Mr Babarinde highlighted several areas of work contributing to the win:

• Domestic Abuse Protections: Securing legal protections for hundreds of thousands of victims and survivors.
• Constituency Support: Supporting thousands of Eastbourne residents through direct casework since his election in July 2024.
• Community Advocacy: His background as a social entrepreneur, including founding the award-winning social enterprise Cracked It, which supports young ex-offenders.
• Social Justice Initiatives: Hosting events like the first SEND Summit (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and partnering with Fighting with Pride to support LGBT+ veterans. 

Babarinde, who recently became the President of the Liberal Democrats on 1 January 2026, dedicated the award to his team of staff and volunteers and thanked the people of Eastbourne for their ongoing support.