the great tommy sleepout

 I am proud to announce that I have signed up to take part in the Great Tommy Sleep Out in support of the Royal British Legion. As Chair of our local Reform UK branch here in Tunbridge Wells, this is a cause that is deeply personal to me.

On my committed night in March, I will be sleeping outdoors in either Rusthall or Tunbridge Wells. While this will undoubtedly be uncomfortable, I am under no illusion that it will be anything like the daily reality faced by too many of our veterans. Here in this idyllic part of Kent, I expect to be relatively safe. But I cannot stop thinking about former servicemen and women sleeping rough in cities such as London, Birmingham, Liverpool, or Glasgow—facing cold nights, uncertainty, and very real risks to their wellbeing.

The Great Tommy Sleep Out is about more than just one night outside. It is about raising funds, raising awareness, and standing in solidarity with those who once stood for us. I am delighted that some of my fellow Reform candidates will be joining me in this effort, helping to raise both vital funds and the profile of the Royal British Legion and the incredible work it does to support veterans and their families.

For me, this is not just a political statement. It is personal.

I come from a military background. My father served in the Coldstream Guards for 25 years. He dedicated a quarter of a century of his life to serving our country with pride, discipline, and loyalty. When I think about veterans sleeping rough on our streets, I think about him. I think about the sacrifices made not just by those who wear the uniform, but by their families as well.

It fills me with shame that in modern Britain, men and women who have served our nation can find themselves abandoned and without proper support. Our government—and I include the previous Conservative administration in this—has failed too many of them. Warm words on Remembrance Sunday are not enough. Poppy appeals are not enough. Respect must be shown not only in ceremony, but in action.

Our veterans deserve dignity. They deserve proper housing. They deserve mental health support. They deserve a system that does not leave them navigating bureaucracy when they are at their most vulnerable.

By taking part in the Great Tommy Sleep Out, I hope in some small way to highlight their plight and to encourage others in Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall to get involved—whether by donating, volunteering, or simply spreading the word. Every pound raised helps the Royal British Legion continue its vital work providing advice, support, and financial assistance to those who have served.

This is about honour. It is about gratitude. And it is about ensuring that those who defended our freedoms are never forgotten when they need us most.

If you are able, please consider supporting this effort. Together, we can stand up for those who once stood up for us.

Rob Grindley