#Somerset MPs Sir Ashley Fox (@conservatives.bsky.social, #Bridgwater) and @tessamunt.bsky.social (@libdems.org.uk, #Wells and Mendip Hills) have called for a debate on flood prevention in light of planned EA maintenance cuts: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2544441... #LDReporter

Britain can’t afford Elon’s next power trip. Today I’ve written to the Energy Secretary urging him to block Musk’s electricity supply licence. The government should be putting the national interest first, not worrying about upsetting Elon Musk.

“Peaceful protest is a fundamental pillar of any liberal democracy, and this legislation is denying people that right.” @lisasmartmp.bsky.social writes to the Home Secretary to challenge the Terrorism Act 2000 - after terrorism powers were against peaceful protesters supporting Palestine Action. ⬇️

Yes, on #SevereMEDay, thinking of all those affected directly or indirectly. We must see the weak commitments in the government’s Final Delivery Plan turned into meaningful reality. You’re not alone💙.

It’s August, time for the wonderful Somerset tradition of ‘harvest home’ as communities celebrate our fantastic rural way of life. This Saturday we had over 700 people come together for Hewish, Puxton & Wick St Lawrence Harvest Home. #HarvestHome #Somerset #NorthSomerset

Delighted that the Final Delivery Plan is finally available 👇🏽 Now to read the detail… 🤔 Thanks to all those who have been an encouragement on our long journey. www.gov.uk/government/p...

Sadly, the long wait for the Final ME Delivery Plan has continued…The Times and campaign groups were able to publish details of the Plan at midnight, but it wasn’t available to the rest of us at midday. 🙏🏽 to Minister Ashley Dalton for coming to reiterate this isn’t how it should be. Fresh start?

Thanks for a helpful summary of the Final ME Delivery Plan @actionforme.bsky.social 👇🏽

June 30 + 22… 🥳 I’m hugely relieved that DHSC is apparently publishing the Final Delivery Plan today. But it’s contemptuous that it is only being released as the long Summer Recess starts, depriving MPs of the opportunity for proper scrutiny. tinyurl.com/5zf6h89p

I recently spoke in a Westminster Hall debate to highlight that ADHD is significantly overrepresented in our prisons, negatively impacting on rehabilitation and reoffending. Time to investigate why and what can be done to help - good for people with ADHD, good to reduce numbers in prison. 👍🏾👍🏾

June 30 + 10… and with still no sign of the ME Delivery Plan, last Thursday I again asked the Leader of the House, @LucyMPowell, if she could help bring an end to the delay which is so disrespectful for #pwME. I’m grateful for her acknowledgement and commitment to follow up. 👍🏾

June 30 + 9……no ME Delivery Plan. Grateful to HelenMorganLibDem.bsky.social LibDem Health Spokesperson for writing to rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social asking that the Plan be published very soon. We owe it to #pwME to recognise the urgency of the challenge and take immediate action to address it.

June 30 + 8… still no Delivery Plan on ME. Grateful to helenmorganlibdem.bsky.social, LibDem Health Spokesperson for writing to rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social asking that the Plan be published very shortly. We want people with ME, and their carers, to know that the LibDems are on their side.

I'm honoured to have served the residents of Wells and Mendip Hills as their MP for the past 12 months. I'll always try to help if I can. To reach me call 01934 440639 or message me on [email protected] Thank you for entrusting me with this privilege. Tessa

Wonderful to take part in the commemorative photocall of all women MPs, marking 97 years since women gained the right to vote on equal terms with men. Each MP received a personalised sash from @centenary.bsky.social made by Re:make Newport, marking our place in the history of #WomenInParliament.

Big congrats @dannychambers.bsky.social! A wonderful achievement! Such a great example one year on of the @libdems.org.uk contribution to Parliament as the constructive opposition. 👍🏾

Today’s #ThereForME blog unpacks the latest frustrating news on the Delivery Plan for ME, and shares some seeds of hope. Ft. An exclusive message to the community from the one and only @tessamunt.bsky.social 👇 (Link in next post)

3/3 As we understand, the Final Plan will not be published until after the release of the NHS 10-Year Plan. We are continuing to advocate for its immediate release, & proper funding. Further delays are unacceptable #pwME #MECFS #MyalgicE #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #DeliveryPlan #FundThePlan

Sonya: “The ME community is once again left in the dark — with no clear timeline, no explanation & growing doubt over whether the plan will appear at all. What message does this send to a group already fighting for basic recognition, where the most severely affected are often the most neglected?” ⬇️

1/3 📢 The Times (paywalled): "Third delay to ME care plan prompts backlash from patients" Full article (paywalled) 👇 www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar... ⬇️

It’s 30 June….the ME Delivery Plan is a no-show. It’s unacceptable. #pwME have been left in darkness for too long. I’m with @HelenMorganLibDem.bsky.social: ‘The government must think again, publish the plan without delay, and allocate it the resources it needs to make a real difference.’

Very productive meeting with my MP @tessamunt.bsky.social this afternoon @transsolidarity.bsky.social One significant takeaway: don’t assume MPs are as knowledgeable around trans rights as you are. Information is helpful. I’ve agreed to keep in touch with her to keep her up to date 👍🏻

The very long awaited Final Cross-government Delivery Plan for ME/CFS won’t fix everything, but could be a start. Yesterday I sought confirmation of its publication by the end of June, bringing some government commitment to #pwME. Thanks to @LucyMPowell for a sympathetic response.

Countless people rely on this support to stay in work and just go about their daily lives. To strip that away from them is not only senseless but cruel. Ministers must change course.

Big thanks to @JoPlatt.bsky.social for sharing her challenging journey with #LongCovid. I agree - current @DWPgovuk approaches to assessment fail #pwLC, #pwME. Proposed changes will only worsen things, with devastating consequences. @longcovidsupport.bsky.social I’m with you - time to rethink!

📣 Current PIP criteria already fail people with energy-limiting conditions. Proposed changes will deepen this injustice, with devastating consequences. @joplatt.bsky.social backs our call for a system that supports people with #LongCovid, in @bigissue.com.

The UK’s millions of unpaid carers are the backbone of our society, propping up our fragile health & social care systems and providing essential care to friends and family. This #CarersWeek, government must start to acknowledge the significant inequalities that carers face and put support in place.

Welcome this long overdue step. @eddavey.libdems.org.uk first called for it 16 months ago. The Government should make clear that it will sanction other extremists in the Netanyahu Cabinet who continue to advocate the violent annexation of Palestinian territory. www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Thank you to my constituent Anthony for raising the issue that medical data is often not accessible across the NHS because of incompatible systems. Delighted that in response to my question, the Leader of the House confirmed that the government is absolutely committed to fixing this. 👍🏾

So pleased that acting with passion and persistence as a constructive Opposition, LibDems have seen through this positive change to Labour government policy. 👍🏾

I met the DBC in Parliament to understand fully the impact of the planned cuts on those with long-term health conditions, disabilities and their carers. It’s worse than I thought. I will be writing to the Govt to insist that all the impact assessments have been made available to MPs before we vote.

On #BiodiversityDay we are reminded that time is not on nature’s side. The UK remains one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. But there is hope—if we choose to act decisively. The #CANBill gave us the vehicle to address this. But government must give leadership to let it go forward

With the other 60 LibDems on Somerset Council I’ve signed a letter raising grave concerns at the suspension of maternity services at Yeovil, putting more pressure on Musgrove Park where CQC rated the maternity unit inadequate and replacement of substandard facilities is not scheduled until 2033

With the other 60 LibDems on Somerset Council I’ve signed a letter raising grave concerns at the suspension of maternity services at Yeovil, putting more pressure on Musgrove Park where CQC rated the maternity unit inadequate and replacement of substandard facilities is not scheduled until 2033.

And #pw LongCovid please also help me with a brief anon survey. DWP’s response to my FOI request👇🏽implied that v few #pwLC access PIP DLA and many will lose this with the cuts. To act, I’d first like to understand what’s up… focussing on severe LC. 🙏🏽 forms.gle/YFoK9diPBBVf...

#pwME please help me with a brief anon survey. DWP’s response to my FOI request👇🏽implied that v few #pwME access PIP DLA and many will lose this with the cuts. To act, I’d first like to understand what’s up… focussing on severe ME. Thank you! forms.gle/tqnzRUAki1nU...

Thank you @stephenctimms for meeting with #APPGME and #APPGLongCOVID and agreeing to my request to speak to @DHSCgovuk to fund research that would enable #pwME to get better, go to work, and come off benefits. Wins all round! #FundThePlan

I used the opportunity of DWP questions on #WorldMEDay to ask that Liz Kendall talk to DHSC to make funds available for research so that #pwME could do what they want more than anything which is to live a normal life, go to work, and not have to try to survive on benefits. Win-win. #FundThePlan

Today is #WorldMEDay. ME is a chronic, complex and often misunderstood condition that has a huge impact on patients. People with ME have been let down for decades - it's time for that to end. Our @libdems.org.uk letter to the Government 👇

This weekend, it was great to meet Jack Bessant from local band Reef and some of the Wells skaters at the Wells Mayor-making, and to hear of exciting plans to build a new skate-park in Wells - a place that will support health, inclusion, creativity, and connection. www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/skatewells

On #WorldMEDay great to see this statement from 28 organisations supporting the 1.3 million people in U.K. living with ME-related symptoms. Thank you for all that you do. Now is the time for action. #pwME #MECFS

Read our joint statement here: tr.ee/TsXPjMdu1A #pwME #pwLC #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #FundThePlan @ashleydaltonmp.bsky.social @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social @joplatt.bsky.social @eddavey.libdems.org.uk @tessamunt.bsky.social

It is such a privilege to serve as MP as we celebrate Somerset Day on 11 May and acknowledge all that is special about the historic county.

Yesterday, I sent a letter to the Foreign Secretary urging the UK to take stronger action if Israel continues its military assault on Gaza - including a total arms export ban, the recognition of Palestine and sanctions on extremist Israeli ministers.

So delighted that all 72 LibDem MPs signed this letter to @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social @ashleydaltonmp.bsky.social asking the govt to back the ME/CFS Delivery Plan with the resources it deserves. May this be a huge encouragement to the ME community and the start of meaningful change. #WorldMEDay

Thank you @ABrokenBattery for sharing this. Great that we had this opportunity, disappointing that I had only seconds to speak to highlight the impact of the proposed changes on #pwME #pwLC. But I’ll be taking other opportunities.

Fab to wander around the Sunday Market in a busy and sunny #SheptonMallet today. Lots of stalls and shops, wonderful street food and lovely ice cream.

Happy 5th birthday Brent Knoll Community Shop! So lovely to pop in and catch up with the amazing volunteers. I remember fondly shifts in the shop - sometimes with my son - during the COVID years. It’s good to know that the community spirit lives on, only more strongly.

#pwME #pwLC if you are able, please complete this survey to inform APPGs ME/LC on impact of proposed changes to welfare benefits. If you complete the survey by 24 April then responses can be included in a briefing for MPs. Final deadline for completing the survey - 30 May. Thank you!