An MP has said he hopes as many people as possible come to celebrate Lewes Bonfire despite advice that only local people should attend.
Lloyd Russell-Moyle, MP for Kemptown, said that public bodies are “wrong” to tell people to stay away from the town for Bonfire Night despite fears of the number of people who could fill the streets.
Mr Russell-Moyle, who grew up in Lewes, added that the town should welcome people who “want to respect and enjoy the celebrations” come November 4.
Taking to Twitter, Mr Russell-Moyle said: “As a Lewes boy who’s marched in bonfire most years of his life I love people coming and celebrating Bonfire with us.
“I hope as many people make it, come early, make a day of it and see you there.”
Replying to people who called the advice “dangerous” and calling for the number of visitors to be reduced, he added: “The public bodies have been saying this [advising people to stay away] for most of my life and they have been wrong!
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“Thus the police have been some of the most effigied/burnt group of people (alongside politicians!).
“Our county town should welcome Sussex folk celebrating this Sussex festival and people who want to respect and enjoy the celebrations should all be welcome.”
A multi-agency group planning for the event had previously said that the event should only be “for local people” rather than for the thousands who travel every year.
In a joint statement with Eastbourne District Council, the multi-agency group said: “Given that Lewes normally becomes significantly over-crowded on bonfire night, the multi-agency group's message is that this remains an event for local people.
“There are concerns that more people than usual will come to Lewes this year as the event falls on a Saturday. Combined with significant amounts of fireworks, this presents a unique challenge to the multi-agency group tasked with ensuring public safety.”
Trains will not run from Lewes and surrounding stations, like previous events, and road closures and parking restrictions will be put in place.
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