Ahead of today’s Budget, I asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to listen to farmers, the EFRA Select Committee, and his own backbench MPs about the devastating impact that Inheritance Tax hikes will have on family farms - like Wyke Farms, in my constituency.

Ahead of today’s Budget, I stood with farmers outside Downing Street to demand the Chancellor #AxeTheFamilyFarmTax. Farming families will be devastated by this ill-thought-out tax hike. It’s not too late for the Govt to listen to farmers, protect the livelihoods of thousands & ensure food security.

🏠 Nearly 300 households in Somerset are in temporary accommodation, including 120 with children & Somerset is spending £3.4m a year to meet demand. Yesterday, I asked the Minister what steps will be taken to boost affordable housing & create longterm solutions, so families can have stability.

⚠️ Waste crime is hitting rural communities hard, costing the UK £1bn a year. 🔶 Last week in Parliament I urged the Secretary of State to back Lib Dem plans for tougher action, better data & real support for the Environment Agency & NCA to tackle organised waste crime and illegal dumping.

💼 Pleased to join Lib Dem colleagues ahead of the Budget calling for a VAT cut for hospitality. A 5p cut until April 2027 would boost footfall, support pubs, hotels and local attractions and help bring prices down. I’ll keep pressing the Government to back our hospitality businesses & high streets.

Delighted to mark DonateIt's 2000th donation. What began with Simon Barfoot and me in the pandemic is now a project that has kept 11500 items from landfill and opened up digital access for so many. Proud of the team and excited for what comes next. Donate your old tech here: buff.ly/qhEDWzQ

Today is Ask Her to Stand Day - held each year on 21 November to commemorate the passing of the Qualification of Women Act 1918. I’m sure we all have a powerful woman in our lives who would make a brilliant representative. Take a moment to think of her today, and #AskHerToStand.

Yesterday in Parliament I highlighted the South-west's brilliant defence-related manufacturing sector, including Needles & Pins Aerospace, a small women-led business in Somerton. I asked the Govt to make sure small providers & UK suppliers get equal opportunity to compete for the larger contracts.

This week I urged the Lords Minister for Housing & Local Government Baroness Sharon Taylor to consider my national caravan licensing system proposal. #Glastonbury has the highest density of van-dwellers in the country. We need action to ease local tensions & stop exploitaton of vulnerable residents.

This week I raised concerns in Parliament about the EA’s decision to halt main river maintenance in Somerset, shifting responsibility onto riparian owners who simply can’t shoulder it. With flood season on the way, I’m pushing for better support & am pleased the Minister agreed to visit next year.

Yesterday I raised the growing pressure on dairy farmers, including the fall in milk prices that threatens their livelihoods. I’ve brought forward my Dairy Farming & Dairy Products Bill to push for fair supply chains, clear origin labelling & a stop to trade deals that undercut British farmers.

In Pitney & across rural Somerset many off-grid homes face huge costs to move away from oil. Yesterday I pressed the Minister on support for these households & the role of renewable liquid fuels. Good to hear the Warm Homes Plan will tackle barriers & a new consultation is now open: respond GOV.UK

🧡 Great to get out and about talking to residents in Street at the weekend, accompanied by Councillor Liz Leyshon, Street Parish Councillor and Somerset Councillor Heather Shearer and some fabulous Lib Dem volunteers! 🚪Get involved: buff.ly/94asJz5

This #InternationalMensDay let's break the silence around men's mental health & wellbeing. Too many struggle alone - huge stigma remains about asking for help. It's a sign of strength to ask for support. Let's check on the men in our lives & ensure everyone feels safe to share when they're not ok.

Many in rural areas – like Gareth in Pitney - want to transition to sustainable heating solutions, but living off the energy grid means that this can cost tens of thousands of pounds. Today I questioned the Minister about the support he will provide them.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK - accounting for 14% of all new cancer cases – and most commonly affects men over 50. Somerset Prostate Support Association offer free symptomless testing at events throughout the year, like Saturday's clinic in Street: buff.ly/WaCwy7T

Today in Parliament I raised Fiona's case. She's a survivor of historical rape & has lost confidence in the justice system after being told there is no starting point for an investigation. I asked the Minister what is being done to properly support victims of violence against women & girls.

Somerset’s carnivals are incredible: over 20 parades culminating in Glastonbury on Saturday. It's crucial we protect this fantastic tradition. I'll be leading a debate in Parliament on the future of Somerset carnivals, celebrating them & seeking solutions to the challenges they face.

"It's disgraceful that Nigel Farage is egging Donald Trump on as he attacks our institutions, our media, and the pockets of millions.” @EdDavey.LibDems.org.uk

🐦 I was given a fantastic tour of King Ina C of E Academy on Friday, led by the newly-elected School Councillors. 🦅 It was so inspiring to see how the Councillors work together to raise the voices of their fellow students, making the school experience enjoyable, inclusive, and accessible for all!

💛It was great to be ‘Ms Mustard’ alongside ‘Mrs Mango’ at Lovington C of E Primary School this morning – donning my yellow scarf in support of Children in Need! buff.ly/GUnb4Ru

🏇 I spent a lovely Saturday afternoon at Wincanton Races, where I had the honour of judging the Badger Beer Style Awards, and met with the Racecourse directors to discuss the devastating impact that the Government’s proposed Gambling Duty harmonisation will have on the horse racing sector.

Alongside representatives from Castle Cary Town Council, it was an honour to observe Armistice Day by taking part in the Poppies to Paddington commemoration at Castle Cary station and presenting poppy wreaths to the GWR poppy train travelling to London. #PoppiestoPaddington

On Friday, I held a follow-up meeting for businesses affected by ongoing anti-social behaviour in Glastonbury. I have been pushing Somerset Council to bring in a Public Space Protection Order to ban drinking on the High Street, and give the police greater enforcement powers.

Joined by the Chair of the Food Standards Agency, I recently held the first of a series of roundtables on the future of the small abattoir sector to discuss how the wider supply chain must improve to protect UK food resilience.

🛐 9-16 November is Inter Faith Week – an opportunity to celebrate the contributions made by different faith communities to Glastonbury and Somerton, and to highlight the good work done by local faith, inter faith, and faith-based groups and organisations across the UK: www.interfaithweek.org

I’ve written to Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage urging them to condemn Donald Trump’s attack on the BBC. The BBC belongs to Britain, not Trump. We must defend it together.

This week it has been an honour to pay tribute to the bravery and selflessness of members of the Armed Forces: those who fought in the World Wars, and those fighting in conflicts around the world today. We must not forget their sacrifices. Today, and every day, we will remember them.

This week I tabled the Dairy Farming and Dairy Products Bill, which urges the Government to back and protect our dairy farmers after farm-gate milk prices were recently slashed. Look out for the Bill’s progression through Parliament here: buff.ly/YRHEkAm

Today in Parliament, I asked the Secretary of State why food & farming are barely covered in the National Curriculum in schools. Young people need to understand where their food comes from & be inspired to consider careers in farming, the environment & food production.

🚜 A recent Liberal Democrat Freedom of Information request has found that the Treasury were considering reversing their flawed decision to increase inheritance tax rates on family farms. Today, I asked the Government to come clean about their intentions.

🪖 The South West possesses the military assets and the skilled workforce necessary to be a driving force towards achieving the Government’s industrial strategy ambitions. 🛦Yesterday, I asked the Secretary of State for Defence how he intends to develop the defence industry in Somerset.

📺 Delighted to be on the panel for BBC Politics West today discussing: 🏇 The Government's punitive gambling tax proposals. 🔶️ Local government re-organisation. 🌈 LGBTQ+ rights. ✅️ Do look out for the episode on Sunday morning!

Glastonbury & Somerton's dental crisis is dire. No NHS dentists are accepting new patients, forcing people to endure pain, travel far, or incur debt for private care. The Govt must address the dental desert & ensure Somerset residents get dental care. Add your name to demand action:

📺 Delighted to be on the panel for BBC Politics West today discussing: 🏇 The Government's punitive gambling tax proposals. 🔶️ Local government re-organisation. 🌈 LGBTQ+ rights. ✅️ Do look out for the episode on Sunday morning!

As Chair of the Women in Defence APPG, I was proud to speak at our autumn reception, celebrating progress toward 30% representation in defence & recognising work still ahead. I also highlighted Somerton’s Needles & Pins Aerospace, a great example of women entrepreneurs driving innovation in defence.

🎖 John from Fivehead lost his hearing due to inadequate ear protection while training. The compensation he received could disadvantage him should he need to claim benefits in future - contrary to the Armed Forces Covenant. 🗣 I will continue to fight for veterans to access benefits they need.

I'm pleased the High Court eviction order for 17 Market Place, Glastonbury was served & the property secured today. I thank Avon & Somerset Police for swift action & will keep working with them to tackle anti-social behaviour, as well as pressing Somerset Council for a Public Space Protection Order.

Earlier this month I was delighted to visit spectacular photography exhibition, "A Celebration of Protest" by visual activist Wayne Campbell, at the Shoemakers' museum for Black History Month. It's on until the 16th of Nov - do go if you can.

Last week at the 'Shot in the Arm' launch campaign in Parliament I was pleased to hear more about patients accessing vaccinations & vital healthcare in their communities by using the Pharmacy First service - this frees up GP appointments & can help people get the healthcare they need close to home.

🩷 Yesterday I took part in Breast Cancer Now’s Wear It Pink campaign - both to advocate for everyone diagnosed with breast cancer to be supported to live well by 2050, and to promote the importance of regular screening and early detection.

🎉A fantastic result in Parliament today. 🗳️ Alongside my brilliant Liberal Democrat colleagues, I voted against Nigel Farage’s attempts to undermine our human rights and leave the ECHR. 🔶It’s the Lib Dems leading the way against Farage’s damaging plans.

🚜 As a member of the EFRA Select Committee, I recently raised concerns about the pressures facing abattoirs who are vital for food security. With rising energy costs & NICs threatening their viability, I asked what changes the SFA has seen & how these impact meat processing & livestock sectors.

⚡On Saturday morning, I was thrilled to spend a few hours at the Long Sutton Local Community Nature Day, talking to local residents and organisations about the environment, climate and nature recovery, local tree planting and footpath maintenance initiatives and so much more.

🌈 Last week I attended an event organised by Fighting with Pride to meet the artists behind the LGBT+ Armed Forces Community Memorial. 🎨 It was an honour to see the beautiful winning design that will soon stand at the National Arboretum to pay tribute to all LGBT+ veterans and serving personnel.

💼 Only 30% of people with autism are in work – far below the national average for disabled people. ✍ Yesterday I asked the Minister about the steps he is taking to ensure adults with autism and other special educational needs can access the workforce.