June 2026

Monthly Resident Update

Hi Reader

News from Vikki Slade MP – June 2026

June has been a month of celebrating community and the values that bring us together.

From celebrating Pride Month to marking Armed Forces Week, June has been a reminder that strong communities are built on shared values: respect, inclusion and service.
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It has been a privilege to meet veterans and campaigners whose dedication helps to make our area a better place for everyone.

This month also marked ten years since the Brexit referendum. As someone who has always believed our future is stronger through close partnership with our European neighbours, it was a moment to reflect on the choices we have made as a country, the opportunities that still lie ahead and how we can create new alliances based on the needs of our nation.

I've also continued working in Westminster to raise issues affecting residents across Mid Dorset and North Poole; from speaking out against the Canford incinerator, to calling for changes to fix the NHS dentistry crisis, to advocating for clean energy investment to bring new jobs and power to our area.

This month's newsletter includes some of the highlights from June, both in the constituency and in Westminster.

Thank you, as always, to everyone who has been in touch. I hope you enjoy the update, and please do share it with others who’d like to stay connected!

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In this edition:

• Celebrated Pride and advocated for Trans Rights
• Campaigned (again) against the Canford incinerator
• Investigated water quality at the River Stour
• Advocated for our forces and defence investment
• Supported local efforts to improve road safety

Celebrated Pride and advocated for trans rights

I was proud to attend Wimborne's first ever Pride celebration last month. In a close-knit community like Wimborne, where Pride hasn’t had a presence before, these moments are key to ensuring everyone feels seen and represented. I hope that it will become an annual event, and will grow into an even bigger celebration across the town.

One part of the LGBTQ+ community that are feeling particularly worried right now is the Trans community, just 0.5% of our population but facing growing marginalisation.
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I am deeply worried by the growing discrimination they experience, and I fear that recent changes to guidance will usher in another era of unsafety where trans and non-binary people are at risk.
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I've been speaking out in Parliament against the changes to EHRC guidance that do not protect the rights of trans people, reduce the freedoms we all face and also about the excessive waiting times for those seeking support for gender dysphoria – which has reached over 6 years for some locals.

You can see me speak out the changes to EHRC guidance here​

Campaigned against the Canford incinerator

This month I gave evidence at the Planning Appeal hearing in Bournemouth, and spoke out in Parliament, against the proposed incinerator in Canford.

This development presents real risks to the local environment, offers little to no benefit to the community and will create even more problems on our roads.

I have been following the appeal process closely and I am appalled that our worst fears appear to have been confirmed. Documents disclosed by the developer showing the catchment area for waste suggest that as little as 12% of the waste to be incinerated will come from the BCP Council and Dorset Council area.

This means that the lorry movements - with the associated pollution and traffic – is likely to have a major negative impact on local people and my concerns, as shared with the Prime Minster back in March 2025, that there will be a need to ‘Feed The Monster’ are correct.

The proposal gives no assurance that the generated heat or energy will be used, or that local communities will benefit. The Energy from Waste plant is due to operate for 40 years, going way past the time that we expect to reach Net Zero and this will make it very difficult for our area to achieve the targets to prevent further harm to our climate.

The Inspector should listen to local people and determine that far from supporting a circular economy, this development undermines it and she should refuse the appeal.

You can read my statement against the incinerator here​

Investigated water quality at the River Stour

In mid-June, I was made aware of reports of local children being hospitalised with illnesses after swimming in the River Stour.

I have been raising concerns about water quality here for years, particularly about the stretch from Eye Bridge to Canford School, which is widely used by residents for swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding.

I visited the site myself with Councillor Richard Burton to test the water. Admittedly, the test kits cannot determine the presence of bacteria (this would have been done by professionals after the reports of illness) but nitrates, which are linked to sewage, were present. While the river appeared clear and wildlife was visible, as a precautionary measure I also wrote to both Wessex Water and the Environment Agency to establish the facts.
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Wessex Water have reported that they are not aware of any recent pollution incidents in this area, and there is currently no evidence of a specific contamination event. However, they did add that natural waterways can contain bacteria and pathogens that may cause serious illness.
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The River Stour is one of our greatest assets. Keeping it safe for our community will remain a priority for me and I would urge anyone who does fall ill to report this directly to the Environment Agency and to Wessex Water to ensure that they can take the appropriate action.

Advocated for our armed forces and for greater defence investment

Here in Dorset, one in seven people are part of the defence community, whether serving personnel, veterans, family members, or those working in the defence industry. That includes my own family: my husband served in the Navy, and my daughter is an Army Reservist.

Through the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS), I have had the privilege of gaining valuable, first-hand insight into military life and the challenges faced by our service personnel.

In June I attended a Parliamentary Dinner hosted by the Air Marshal who leads the Cyber and Special Operations Command and attended a showcase by the Armed Forces presenting some of the latest technology being prepared for use should there be armed conflict in the coming years.

To support our Forces, I've been calling for the immediate publication of the Defence Investment Plan so we know our brave servicemen and women will have the equipment, resources and support they need to defend our country and keep us safe.

You can read more about my defence priority here​

Supported local efforts to improve road safety

I am thrilled that the community-led campaign to improve road safety on Wimborne Road has the support of over 1,500 local people.

By signing the petition, many of you have helped to demonstrate the strength of local support and have assisted in pressing the council to take meaningful action to make this stretch of road safe and accessible for everyone.

Brilliant local campaigner Rosanna Dean launched this petition to take urgent action to improve road safety, and strong community backing is essential to move this request forward.

You can support these efforts by signing the petition here​

Out & About in MDNP

Spending time with residents and local organisations is always one of the best parts of this role. Recent highlights include:

Resident Surgeries - I held advice surgeries in Holt and Wimborne, to help residents with a range of issues including criminal and anti-social activity, supporting families where children are in care and social housing.

School Visits - I visited Bearwood Primary School where I was presented with letters from students expressing environmental concerns, and had a Q&A about life as an MP. Additionally, I met the Head Teacher of Corfe Hills School to discuss parents concerns about proposed staff cuts. I also had a Q&A with the school council at St Michael’s Middle School in Colehill.

Dorset Chamber Business Voice Forum - I spoke at the Dorset Chamber Business Voice Forum to discuss the key issues affecting Dorset businesses with local people.

Round-up of some of my other activities