I was delighted to see what a success Small Business Saturday was in Brighton last weekend.

Like many others in the city, I used the day to champion our wonderfully creative independent traders.

This included supporting those who used the opportunity of the Hollingdean Lucky Dip to promote their businesses and spending time at the thriving Fiveways Late Night shopping evening the night before.

I was also pleased to speak at the rally for free education, organised by students at the Level on Saturday lunchtime, since I believe it is wrong that students are being saddled with such a huge burden of debt.

Many of my constituents have raised with me their worries that their children will never be free of the debts associated with student loans and tuition fees.

However, in case your coverage of the impact of Saturday’s march on the city centre left your readers in any doubt, let me make clear that I did not join the march, nor do I condone intimidating or aggressive behaviour by some protestors.

It is a great pity that the disruptive actions of a few overshadowed an important occasion to celebrate the vital contribution small businesses make to our economy.

As one of the Federation of Small Business’s parliamentary champions, I look forward to supporting the Patcham late night trading evening this coming Friday, and continuing to champion the cause of small business in parliament.

Caroline Lucas MP
Brighton Pavilion