Campaigner Meets PM

CAMPAIGNER Angie Long, met with Sir Keir Starmer and told him of her family tragedy after her son Ryan died last summer.
“I made Ryan a promise that I would keep his memory alive and this is fulfilling that promise”, she said.
She saw the Prime Minister after MP David Burton-Sampson raised her case at Prime Minister’s Questions.
The MP for Southend West and Leigh met Ms Long at a recent surgery where she told him of the terrible impact of losing her son, Ryan, in a drug related death in 2025.
He said:” I met with Angie to discuss the huge importance of raising awareness around the dangers and accessibility of drugs.
“Tragically, this is deeply personal to Angie and her family. Her son, Ryan, passed away at just 18 years old last summer, after taking only one pill on the very first night of his first lads’ holiday.
“It is an absolutely appalling tragedy and my heart goes out to her and her family.”
Ms Long, from Eastwood sat in the public Gallery with Natalie Amos from the Open Road Southend charity that provides help, guidance and education around drugs and alcohol.
She said: “This could happen to anyone.
“It is so important to highlight the work that Open Road do and this was a such an opportunity to promote that message to the Prime Minister.
“He was extremely sympathetic and well informed. When it was raised during Prime Minister’s questions, Sir Keir Starmer said that he has a 17-year -old son himself.
“That was something he raised when we met. It is absolutely vital that we raise awareness of the dangers of drugs.
“We passed on our posters to the Prime Minister, outlining how drugs like ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine and the use of balloons can be life-threatening and you should not leave people alone.
“Pubwatch Southend are backing us and many restaurants are making the posters visible. We need to get this message out.”
Mr Burton-Sampson explained that he was glad he was able to bring Angie Long and the Prime Minister together.
He said:” Angie does incredible work locally to raise awareness, but it needs to go much further. She is an inspiration and I will do all I can to help her and her campaigning.
“We need to make sure we raise awareness, educate young people, and encourage safer choices.
“Their next charity night is on June 26 at the Lounge on Aviation Way from 8 until late with details on the openroad southend website. https://linktr.ee/openroadsouthend
“I look forward to working with Angie and Open Road in the future to continue support for her incredible campaign”
Picture: The meeting with Sir Keir Starmer
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