Under LibDem manifesto plans drug users whose only crime is possession for personal use will instead receive non-custodial sentences and appropriate medical treatment.

Locking up these people, including 500 for possession of cannabis, costs taxpayers up to £5million a year – money that should be spent on bringing drug dealers to justice.

Norman says “The first step is to recognise that drug use is primarily a health problem. Addicts need treatment, not prison sentences. If we are to be anti-drugs we need to be pro-reform and look at support mechanisms for addicts not locking them up behind closed doors and turning a blind eye.

“That’s why our manifesto will include a commitment that we will end the use of imprisonment for possession of drugs for personal use and move the drugs and alcohol lead from the Home Office to the Department of Health”

In the UK, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 enables the availability of controlled drugs for medicinal purposes through licensing under schedules 2-4 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. Cannabis is listed in schedule 1 to the Regulations. This means that it has no recognised medicinal use and subject to the strictest control restrictions.

Norman says: “I think it is time to reconsider medicinal properties of cannabis, given what I have learnt in my role as a Minister. I have seen more and more evidence that cannabis can provide genuine medical benefits to treat a number of conditions. There is a growing body of research that shows the medical properties of chemical components of cannabis. We should seriously consider whether it is valuable to treat conditions such as MS, glaucoma, chronic and neurogenic pain and the side effects from chemotherapy and HIV/AIDS treatments.

“I am uncomfortable that there are credible people I have met who tell me that cannabis is the only substance that helps relieve their condition but not only are they stopped from accessing it officially but have to break the law to help their health.

“Other countries recognise that cannabis does have medicinal benefit and we need to look again at this to help people who are ill. This is a quite separate matter from the recreational use of cannabis which is not at issue here.

“We already prescribe cannabinoid treatments for some of the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. I have today written to Jeremy Hunt asking him to review the benefits of cannabis, so that we can lower the restrictions on the development of cannabis-based medicines. This could help many people suffering from a range of conditions.

“Obviously we have to do this right, we need to ensure that the proper medical processes are applied. But I have always said that we should follow the evidence, even if that takes us to uncomfortable areas of policy-making.”

There can be no justification either for the indiscriminate rocket fire from Gaza against Israeli civilians or for the ruthless Israeli attackson the Palestinian population in Gaza. This is causing a dangerous security situation which cannot continue, and I condemn all atrocities or human rights abuses carried out by either side in this conflict.

I recognise that the people of Israel have the absolute right to live without constant fear for their security. However, the people of Gaza have the fundamental right to live in peace and security too, and the Palestinian civilian population cannot be held responsible for the actions of Hamas. Around 400,000 people in Gaza currently live without access to electricity, and stocks of fuel and medical supplies are running dangerously low. International humanitarian law must be upheld and Israel should lift its blockade of Gaza to ease this human suffering.

The only hope of breaking this cycle of violence is a return to peace negotiations.  My Lib Dem colleagues and I are committed to a negotiated peace settlement, which includes a genuine two-state solution, with Israel returned to its pre-1967 borders, save for mutually agreed land swaps, Jerusalem as the capital of both states, and a just settlement for refugees. I fear the recent violence can only set back the time when a lasting peace solution can be enacted.

 I have contacted the Department for International Development with my concerns, and that of many of my constituents, and have informed me they will be making available emergency support including health care, clean water, blankets and cooking equipment. The support builds on existing crucial programmes at this time of crisis including essential services to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East and support for UN Relief and Works Agency to help provide health services to the 70% of the Gazan population who are Palestinian refugees and to shelter those fleeing the fighting.

 Work is happening with the UN Access Coordination Unit to support liaising with authorities on all sides to get medical and emergency cases out of Gaza and help to get essential supplies in.

This project is expected to support over 750 jobs and bring over £2 billion of investment into the UK’s economy.Once built, the wind farm would generate enough electricity to power approximately 450,000 homes.

Norman has been actively lobbying Energy Secretary Ed Davey on this issue, both to grant permission and to do so quickly to bring further increased investment into the area and securing greener energy sources.

Norman says “This is great news for Newhaven and something I have lobbied hard for. It is positioning Newhaven very well as the South East Centre of offshore renewable technology for the century ahead. It is great for the economy and great for the environment

It is a good thing the Energy Secretary has not listened to the ‘naysayers’ who continually talk down renewable energy.

This offshore renewable energy source will be able to provide energy for approximately 450,000 homes and is an investment in our energy security for the future, helping to make Britain self-sufficient in the future.”

Local Lib Dem MP Norman Baker  attended Lewes Food Market on Friday 4 July to celebrate its fourth birthday at the Market Tower, giving an impromptu speech to the packed event.

Attendees were treated to slices of cake and fruit punch as they browsed the market stalls, taking time to sample fresh seasonal produce, fish, cheese and locally-sourced honey. A local busker added to the ambiance with some live guitar music.

Customers were also able to purchase savoury pies and pastries, dips, dumplings, chutneys and cakes. Lewes Food Market runs every Friday between 9:30am-2:30pm at the Market Tower all year round.

Norman says: “Having launched this weekly event four years ago, I am delighted to see it continue to go from strength to strength. Lewes Food Market continues to showcase the town’s community spirit, not least with some fantastic food offerings.”

Close partnership working between local councils has secured £10 million for a new port access road in Newhaven and £9 million for flood defences – including a promise of £6 million from the Environment Agency. Both schemes will open up major sites for housing, employment and new harbour facilities.

Funding for the schemes will come from Local Enterprise Partnerships, following this week’s announcement of a Government “growth deal”. In addition, to previously-confirmed funding from East Sussex County Council of £13 million, the Coast to Capital LEP will invest a further £10 million on the port access road and in partnership with the South East LEP will contribute £3 million towards improving flood defences.

Norman says:“The South East Growth Deal is substantial investment in our local infrastructure. “This funding will create thousands of local jobs, and the port access road should generate hundreds of new homes. The government’s significant investment in transport infrastructure and business support will help the UK to compete internationally.

This is not just as short term fix but as a long term investment in our region”

In a bid to save £1.79 million East Sussex County Council has announced a consultation of proposed cuts and alterations to bus services across the county which will see hundreds of people affected.

Routes included in the consultation cover some the rural services in the area, proposing reductions from every 2 hours to a twice weekly service, such as Barcombe – Lewes – Alfriston and the 824 Village Rider service for off peak periods. Some Lewes local bus routes would see services reduced from a half hourly service to hourly, to include Winterbourne to Lewes Town.

Seaford are facing losing their Sunday service to Eastbourne and reducing the daily hourly service to 2 days a week. People seeking to travel between Tunbridge Wells and Brighton Monday to Saturday of an evening, which includes Ringmer and the Malling area of Lewes, could also lose their service.

Newhaven, which is also braced to lose their last bank being advised to travel to nearby branches, face having their travel plans scuppered as cuts are proposed to the Lewes to Newhaven service, covering much of the Ouse Valley, from an hourly service to a 2 hourly off peak service and the Newhaven Local 145.

Norman says: “I am astounded at these significant proposed cuts to local bus services. This will not only greatly affect how people choose to travel, at a time when we are all being encouraged to use public transport, but for many this is their only link to important services such as medical appointments, education, essential shopping  and work. Residents of local villages are particularly at risk from becoming completely isolated without access to public transport.

“These types of cuts are not just an inconvenience but will greatly affect people’s day to day living. I can appreciate the difficult financial challenge, but it is difficult to accept with millions being invested into the Hastings to Bexhill by pass.

“I would encourage East Sussex County Council to listen very carefully to local residents during this consultation and consider the wider impact on people’s lives.”

A major tax-free childcare package will help 13,940 families in East Sussex, local Lib Dem MP Norman Baker said today and 2,660 of those will be in Lewes District.

Working families will get up to £2,000 to ease the cost of childcare as part of a scheme to be rolled out in Autumn 2015. It means a family with two children under 12-years-old could benefit by up to £4,000 a year.

Norman says: “The announcement in the Queen’s Speech provides a huge boost to families in East Sussex. This is something Liberal Democrats have fought for and are now delivering in Government.

“We are committed to building a stronger economy and a fairer society and this helps children get the best start in life.” The Queen’s Speech outlines the legislative agenda for the Coalition Government over the next 12 months.

Norman added: “I am also really pleased that the Lib Dems have managed to secure free school meals for every infant, which will help their health and educational development.

“It comes on top of 15 hours free weekly childcare we have already delivered for all three and four year olds and pupil premium to help our schools.

“All these measures will help parents go to work and provide security for their families.”

Norman says: “Cuckmere Community Bus Ltd provides a very well thought of service locally and I am pleased to see that they have received this well deserved national recognition for the achievements for all their volunteer drivers and people who keep this service running.”

Splash Point has been closed to members of the public since Lewes District Council erected substantial gates and fencing following storms earlier this year and concerns for public safety. Damaged caused by the storms included the falling away of the path and the wall underneath has been undermined.

The area has long been under discussion of responsibility, with Lewes District Council taking the lead to address remedial repairs to get Splash Point opened as quickly as possible.

Seaford Town and District Councillors, along with Norman Baker MP, are now seeking to call a summit to discuss the longer term plan for the area, with stakeholders to include, Seaford Town Council and the Environment Agency to establish a plan of action to include identifying responsibility of ownership and future proof solutions to try and protect the area for the future.

Norman says: “I welcome the news Lewes District is working towards remedial repairs but unless action is taken to develop and insure this for the future, the problem is only going to get worse. Progress to help save Splash Point must be made to enable safe access for local people and to attract visitors to the town”

Lib Dem Cllr Sarah Osborne says: “There are real safety concerns for people wanting to access the area. Without agreement from all parties we are unable to progress with future works for the area to save the area for future generations”

Independent Cllr Sam Adeniji says: “Splash Point is a vital tourist attraction and the kittiwakes are spectacular, if its ownership is uncertain then a summit is needed to resolve this issue. Not only do we want Splash point repaired and reopen very soon, we also need a long term plan for its repairs and maintenance as well as to protect against future storms.”